Mr. 

ERMON 

ON     T  H  S. 

Out-pouring  of  the  HOLY  GHOST. 


3lie  cut-four  ing  of  the  HOLY  GHOST. 


SERMON 

Preach'd  in  BOSTON,    May  13,   1741. 

On  a  day  of  prayer  obferved  by  the  firft  Church  there* 
to  afk  of  Gop  the  effufion  of  his  Sp i  R  i  T. 

By  Charles  Chauncy,  A.  M* 

Paftor  of  faid  Church, 


Hof.   10.   iz.  — —  It  is  time  tvfeek  the  LORD,  till  he  come  an& 

rain  righteoufnefs  upon  us. 
Jfaiah.  44.   3.  For  I  will  pour  water  upon  htm  that  is  tkirjtyy  and 

foods  upon  the  dry  ground',  I  <will  pour  my  §PIRJT  upon  thy  feed, 

and  my  blejfing  upon  thine  Offspring* 


-\ 

;;-  —  =  ====:  =  =?=====*=====  = 

*     #     #     * 

.%%*»% 


" 

BOSTON: 

Printed  by  T.  FLEET,  for  D,  HENCHMAN  and 
in  Cornhill. 


(s) 


The  HOLY  GHOST  foureJ  out. 


A&s  X.  45. 

0.»  the  Gentiles  alfo  was  pawed  out  the  gift 
ef  the  HOLT  GHOST. 

. 

E  are  prefented,  in  the  foregoing  verfes, 
with  an  abflraffi  of  an  excellent  Sermon? 
preacht  by  the  apoftle  Peter ;  as  alfo  an 
account  of   that    Divine  fower  which 
came  on  the  hearers,  even  while  he  was 
preaching  it.     v.  44.  while  Peter  yet 
fpake  thefe  wc?ds9  the  HOLY  GHOST  fell  on  all  that 
beard  the  Word.     *Tis  obfervable,  the  HQLY  GHOST 
fell  univerfally  upon  the  auditory.     There  was. not  3 
perfon  prefent,  neither  Jew  nor  Gentile*  man  nor  wo~ 
man,  old  nor  young ,  but  he  was  a  partaker  of  the  HOI  Y: 
GHOST.     He  fell  on  all  that  heard  the  Word.     The 
Following  verfe  exhibits  an  account  of  the  aftonijhmentj 
the  believing  Jews  were  filled  with  at  this  event.    AnA 
they  of 'the  circumcifion^  which  believed^  were  aftontfbed. 
And  the  morejpecia}  reafon  of  their  aftonifliment  is 
given  in  the  ne^t  words  \  which  was  not,  as  we  may  be 
ready  to  imagine,  fo  much  the  dejcent  of  the  HOLY 
CJKOST,  as  the  ftrfons  on  whom  be  fell.    The  former 

4  -  <  .  *  ~  ~ .'  '-x    .  !       •—.  •    —  w  . 

they 


5  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

fhey  had  often  been  witneffes  to  before,  it  was  an  event 
common  in  that  day  ;  the  latter  was  new  and  ftrange> 
what  they  did  not  expect,  and  were  much  furprifed  at, 
They  were  aftonijhed,  becaufe,  fays  my  text,  on  the  Gen- 
tiles alfo  was  poured  out  the  gift  of  the  HOLY  GHOST  : 
In  which  words  the  three  following  things  are  obferva- 
ble, 

I.  The  gift  here  fpokenof-,  viz.  the  HOLY  GHOST. 

II.  The  perfons  to  whom  he  was  given ;  and  thefq 
were  the  Gentiles  alfo,  ic  e.  the  Gentiles  as  well  as  Jews  ^ 
listh  in  common  -9  one  as  well  as  the  other,  without  re~ 
fpcft  of  perfons. 

III.  The  manner  of  bellowing  this  gift;    It  was 
toovrea  cut. 

Accordingly,  thefe  are  the  particulars  we  IhalJ  briefly, 
con&der,  and  then  apply  to  the  occafions  of  the  day. 


I.  The  firft  thing  obfervable  in  the  text  is,  the 
fpoken  of;  viz.  the  HOLY  GHOST. 

The  HOLY  GHOST,  or  HOLY  SPJRJT,  as  the 
\vord  is  el  fe where  translated ;  —  It's  the  name  of  the 
THIRD  of  the  SACRED  THREE.  He  is  otherwife 
{lil'd  fometimes,  by  way  of  emphafls,  THE  SPIRIT; 
fometimcs,  the  SPIRIT  of  GOD,  the  SPIRIT  of 
CHRIST,  the  SPIRIT  of  grace,  the  SPIRIT  of  truth, 
the  SPIRIT  of  holinefs ;  fometimes,  he  is  fpoken  of  as 
the  COMFORTER,  the  SANCTIFIER,  and  the  like. 
That  glorious  perfon  is  pointed  out,  under  all  thefe  ap- 
pellations, in  whofe  name,  as  well  as  in  the  name  of  the 
FATHER  and  the  SON,  we  are  baptifed,  and  by  this 
inftituted  rite  take  upon  us  the  character  of  Cbriftians. 

Only,  let  it  be  remembred,  when  the  HOLY 
GHOST  is  fpoken  of  as  a  gift  from  GOD,  we  are  not 
to  underiland  hereby  the  perfon,  but  the  influences  of 
this  blejfcd  SPIRIT.  Not  that  the  HOLY  GHOST  is 
nothing  more  than  an  emanation,  operation  or  influence, 
fi-prn  the  FATHER,  He  is  often  reprefented,  in  the 


/*r  HOLTGflOSTi  7 

^  a§  an  0£<?»^  &  perfon,  as  truly  and  properly  fb,  as 
either  the  FATHER  or  the  SON.  But  tho*  he  be  a 
real,  living,  a&ive,  infinitely  glorious  perfon,  yet  when 
he  is  fpoken  of  as  a  gift,  we  are  to  underftand  hereby 
his  influences  and  operations. 

And  thefe  are  either  extraordinary  or  ordinary. 

In  the  beginning  of  Chriftianity,  the  HOLY  GHOST 
was  given  to  men,  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  i.  e.  in 
miraculous  gifts  and  powers.  It  does  not  appear,  that 
the  HOLY  GHOST,  in  this  fenfe,  was  confin'd  to  the 
apoftlesj  or  their  fellow- labourers  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  The  apoflles,  'tis  true,  were  the  firft,  after  our 
SAVIOUR**  afcention  up  to  heaven,  to  whom  the  HOLY 
GHOST  was  thus  given.  It  was  upon  them  that  he  de- 
fcended,  on  the  day  of  Pentecoft,  in  cloven  tongues  like  as 
of  fire,  to  their  being  enabled  to  fpeak  in  various  Ian- 
guages,  yea,  and  to  Jhew  ftgns  and  wonders,  and  to 
work  miracles,  to  the  aftonifhment  and  converfion  of  mul- 
titudes. But  it  fhould  feem,  as  if  the  gift  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST,  in  this  extraordinary  manner,  was  not  the  file 
priviledge  of  the  apojlles,  or  firft  minifters  of  the  Chri- 
ftian  religion.  It  rather  appears  to  have  been  a  gift 
beftowed  upon  Chriftians  in  common.  Some  of  the 
perfons,  chofen  from  among  the  people  to  be  Deacon^ 
were  thus  miraculoujly  endowed.  'Tis  particularly  re- 
corded of  Stephen*,  that  he  did  great  wonders  and  mira- 
cles among  the  people.  And  in  the  Church  at  Corinth, 
there  was  a  great  diverfity  of  thefe  extraordinary  gifts ; 
and  they  feem  to  have  been  common  among  the  people. 
20  one  was  given,  by  the  SPI  R  I  T,  the  word  of  wifdom  ; 
to  another,  the  word  of  knowledge  by  the  fame  SPIRIT  ; 
to  another,  faith  ;  to  another,  the  gift  of  healing  ;  to  ano- 
ther, the  working  of  miracles  ;  to  another,  prophecy  •,  to 
another,  discerning  of  Spirits ;  to  another,  diverfe  kinds 
of  tongues ;  to  anotyer,  the  interpretation  of  tongues. 

And, 
•».  . 
6. 


8  A  Sisrmon  6n  the  btat-pouHng  of 

And,  perhaps,  there  were  Few,  in  the  firft  days  oF  the 
gofpel,  but  were  endowed  with  foriie  extraordinary  gift 
Of  the  SPIRIT  or  another, 

And  it  was  at  different  feafons  that  the  HOLY 
GHOST  fell  upoti  petfons,  in.  his  miraculous  powers. 
Sometimes,  he  carrie  upon  them,  even  before  they  were 
baptifed.  So  it  was  in  my  content.  Upon  Peter's 
f reaching  to  the  Gentiles^  the  rfoLY  GHOST  fell  upon 
them  all.  And  that  he  fell  upon  them  in  his  extraordi- 
nary gifts,  is  evident  from  what  follows ;  for  'tis  ob- 
ferved,  they  Were  heard  to  fpeak  with  tongues,  i.  e.  with 
ftrange  tongues,  in  languages  they  did  not  before  under- 
ftand,  nor  could  fpeak.  Bat  more  commonly  the  HOLY 
GHOST  was  given  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the 
apoflles  after  baptifm.  An  inftance  of  this  we  have,  in 
A6t.  19.  5,  6.  wherej  after  a  number  of  difciples  had 
been  baptifed^  'tis  faid,  Paul  laid  bis  hands  upon  them* 
and  the  HOLY  GHOST  came  on  them  :  And  he^&  came 
on  them,  as  that  they  fpake  with  tongue PJ,  and  prophejiedm 
And  it  was  the  falling  of  the  HOLY  GHOST  on  per- 
fons,  in  his  miraculous  powers,  by  the  laying  on  of  the 
hands  of  the  apojlles,  that'  put  Simon  Magus  upon  making 
an  offer  to  purchafe  this  wonderful  gift  with  money*. 

Some,  perhaps^  may  be  ready  to  envy  thefe  frjl 
Chriftians  their  priviledge,  in  being  thus  miracuhufly 
f  endowed  5  imagining,  they  were  much  better  of  it  than 
>we9  who  can  pretend  to  no  fuch  extraordinary  gifts,- 
But  what  fays  the  infpired  Paul?  Why,  fpeaking  to 
the  Chriftians  at  Corinth^  concerning  thefe  very  extraor- 
dinary gifts  of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  he  directs  them  to 
what  was  far  more  defirable.  1 Jhew  unto  you ,  fays  hea 
a  more  excellent  way-f.  And  this  way  he  Jkewed  to 
them,  was  that  of  Charity  or  -love.  The  true  love  of 
our  neighbour^  fpringing  from  tout. to  GOD,  and  a  prin- 
ciple of  faith  in  JESUS  CHRI^T^S  a  gift  far  preferabk 

to 

*  Ms  ^,  ify  ig.  f  i  Cor,  12,  31, 


m  HOLT  GHOST,  $ 

to  any  of  the  miraculous  gifts,  the  firft  Chriftians  were 
endowed  with :  And  upon  whomfoe^er  GOD  beftows 
this  gift,  he  doe$  more  for  them,  than  if  he  enabled 
them  to  fyeak  with  the  tongues  of  men  or  angels^  of  gave 
them  faith  fa  that  they  could  remove  mountains.  This, 
*ris  true,  might  make  them  more  eminent  in  their  own 
as  well  as  in  the  efteerh  of  others  ;  but  ^former  would 
tender  them  letter  in  th'emfelves,  arid  far  more  acceptable 
in  the  fight  of  GOD. 

'Tis  worth  our  particular  remark,  the  extraordinary 
gifts  of  the  HOL?  GHOST  made  no  man  the  letter 
Chriftian.  They  did  not  fantlify  his  foul,  or  put  hint 
in  a  (late  df  favour  with  GOD  \  And  if  fanftified  per- 
fons  were  thofe,  oh  whorn  they  were  often  Conferred, 
yet  this  was  riot  always  the  cafe.  It  was  no  certain 
argument  of  a  man's  being  a  good  man,  a  fincere  fer- 
vant  of  JESUS  CHRIS? ,  that  the  HOLY  Gkosf  had 
come  upon  him  in  his  extraordinary  gifts.  The  Spirit  of 
prophecy  fell  on  Balaam?  who  made  Jfrael  to  fin,  and  of 
whom  it  is  teftified  by  an  apoflle,  that  he  loved  the 
w'dges  of  unrighteciifnefs.  And  Judas,  as  well  as  the 
other  apoftles,  had  the  power  bf  working  Jigns  and  won- 
tiers,  and  of  cafting  out  Devils:  Yea,  bur  SAVIOUR 
himlelf  has  declared,  that  he  will,  in  the  great  day  of 
judgment,  fay  unto  many  who  have'  prophefied  in  his 
namt,  and.  in  his  name  caft  out  Devils,  and  in  his  name 
'done  many  wonderful  works,  I  never  knew  you  :  Depart 
from  me,  ye  that  work  iniquity*.  Thefe  miraculous  gifts 
were  rather  bellowed  for  the  good  of  others,  than  the 
ferfons  themfelves  who  had  them.  Tongues,  fays  the 
apoftle*}",  are  for  a  fign,  not  to  them  that  believe,  but  to 
them  that  believe  hot ,  They  were  intended  as  an  open 
Mtejialion  to  the  truth  of  the  Chriftian  religion ;  which 
being  now  fettled  in  the  world,  there  is  no  further  ufe 
of  them, 

fe  i 

~..  .. 1 —     ^ n 

*  Ma«h,  7,  22,  23,  ±   j  Cor.   19,  22. 


TO  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

I  therefore  go  on  to  obferve, 

By  the  gift  of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  we  are  to 
ft  and,  not  only  'thefe  extraordinary  powers,  but  that 
ordinary  influence,  common  to  all  ages  of  the  Church, 
whereby  the  work  of  Divine  grace  is  begun  and  carried 
on  in  the  fouls  of  men,  to  their  being  prepared  in  this 
world  for  the  bleffednefs  of  the  world  that  is  to  come. 

Some,  I  am  fenfible,  are  for  confining  the  gift  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST  to  the  apoftolic  age :  But  there  is  no 
ireafon  for  this.  5Tis  plain  from  the  current  ftrain  of 
the  whole  new-teftament,  that  the  gift  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST  is  as  neceffary  for  perfons  in  all  after  ages,  as 
It  was  in  the  firji  days  of  the  Gofpel.  'Tis  therefore 
declared  in  language  extending  to  all  times  as  well  as 
Perfons*,  except  a  man  be  born  of  the  SPIRIT,  he  can- 
not enter  into  the  'kingdom  of  GOD  \  and  again,  -\  If 
any  man  have  not  the  SPIRIT  of  CHRIST,  be  is  none 
of  his 5  and  yet  again,  fl  Hereby  we  know  that  we  dwell 
in  Mm,  and  he  in  us,  becaufe  he  hath  given  us  of  his 
SPIRIT. 

Nor  by  the  gift  of  the  SPIRIT,  in  this  Senfe,  are 
we  to  underftand  barely  the  objective  influence  of  re- 
pealed truths,  or  any  improvements  of  nature  that  are 
fTieerly  moral  \  but  that  immediate  presence  and  influ- 
ence of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  whereby  a  real  power  is 
communicated  to  the  purpofes  of  religion.  This  is  the 
true  meaning  of  thofe  numerous  texts,  wherein  thofe 
who  are  real  Chriftians,'  are  faid  to  be  born  of  the  SPI- 
R  i  T  •,  to  have  the  SP  I  R  i  f  dwelling  in  their  Hearts  by 
faith  \  to  be  ftrengthened  with  all  might  in  the  inner 
man  by  the  SPIRIT  ;  to  be  led  by  the  SPIRIT  ;  to 
walk  in  /^SPIRIT,  and  the  like.  By  thefe  phrafes, 
is  pointed  oat  a  fort  of  influence  beyond  what  is  meerJy 
natural  or  moral:  'Tis  evidently  their  main  fcope  to 
reprefent  the  holy  SPIRIT  as  all  in  all  in  the  bufinefs 

of 

*  John  3*  j,       f  &om,  8.  g«         8  i  John  4.  1$, 


the  HOLT  GHOST.  if 

of  pure  and  undefiled  religion ;  the  beginner,  the  car- 
rier on,  and  the  finifher  of  faith,  yea,  and  of  every 
thing  elfe  that  is  fpiritually  good,  in  the  hearts  of  fin- 
cere  Chriftians :  Nor  will  any  thing  fhort  of  this  come 
up  to  the  juft  and  full  import  of  thefe  expreflions. 

Nor  is  it  any  objection  againft  thefe  operations  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST,  that  we  know  not  how  he  operates 
upon  the  humane  mind.  Men  may,  if  they  pleafe, 
take  occafion  from  hence  to  fpeak  contemptuoufly  of 
this  difpenfation  of  GOD'S  Grace  ;  but  'tis,  in  true  rea- 
fon,  no  argument  againft  the  reality  of  a  thing,  that 
the  manner  of  it  can't  be  defcribed.  Who  can  tell 
how  his  own  Spirit  operates  on  his  own  body,  or  his 
own  body  on  his  own  Spirit  ?  And  yet,  there  is  nothing 
we  are  more  fure  of,  than  that  they  mutually  operate 
on  each  other.  And  if  it  be  no  objection  againft  the 
mutual  operation  of  foul  and  body  upon  one  another, 
that  we  know  not  the  modus  of  their  operation,  nei- 
ther is  our  ignorance  as  to  the  manner  of  the  SPIRIT'$ 
operation  on  the  hearts  of  Men,  any  objection  againft 
the  thing  it  felf :  Nor  is  it  at  all  incredible,  that  the 
GOD  who  made  our  fouls,  and  is  perfectly  acquainted 
with  all  their  fprings  of  action,  fhould  be  able  to  ope- 
rate upon  them  i  and  this,  in  a  way  fuited  to  their 
nature,  and  fo  as  not  to  break  in,  in  the  leaft,  upon 
the  juft  exercife  of  their  reafonable  powers.  It  would 
argue  but  a  low  conception  of  the  infinitely  wife  GOD 
to  fuppofe  the  contrary.  He  that  has  all  immediate 
accefs  to  our  Spirits  can  certainly  work  upon  them, 
and,  in  a  reafonable  way,  influence  them  both  to  will 
and  to  do  of  bis  own  good  pleafure ;  And  that  the  Di- 
vine ever-bleffed  SPIRIT  does  really  thus  operate 
upon  them,  and  in  thus  doing  acts  the  part  efpecially 
affigned  hirrj  in  the  affair  of  man's  falvation,  mgft  be 
acknowledged  to  be  the  obvious  fenfe  of  a  great  num- 
ber of  texts,  which  can't,  without  the  greateft  violence^ 
t$  interpreted  to  any  other  meaning.  But  it  will 

B  a 


y£  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

be  amife,  if  we  are  a  little  particular  in  explaining  thq 
gift  of  {he  HOLY  GHOST,  as  it  means  this  internal 
operation  ol  his,  which  is  common  to  all  ages  of  the 
Church.  And  it  confifts  in  the  following  things, 

j.  In  convincing  men  of  Sin.  This  is  the  firft  ope- 
ration'of  the  SPIRIT  upon  the  Sinner.  Accordingly, 
fihis  is  particularly  mentioned  as  one  of  the  ends  tot 
which  the  SPIRIT  is  faid  to  be  given  to  men,  even 
that  he  might  reprove,  or  convince,  tbern  of  firi*.  And 
this  he  does  by  awakening  their  attention,  bringing 
them  to  confideration,  and 'giving  them  fuch  a  fight  of 
fin  as  they  never  had  before.  When  the  SPIRIT  con- 
yin^es  of  fin,  he  opens  the  finners  eyes,  fo  that  he 
fees  it  to  be  an  qvil  and  bitter  thing,  that  he  has  for- 
faken  the  LORI)  his  GOD.  He  has  now  an  appre- 
henfion  pf  fin  a$  what  is  hateful  to  the  Divine  majefty, 
and  dreadful  in  its  effects  and  confequences  -9  He  has 
p'ow  a  view  of  himfelf  as  a.n  object  pfvwrath,  and  heir 
pf  helj,  and  in  danger  every  morpent  of  being  made 
rnjferable  Jn  that  future  place  of  torment :  And  from 
£his  apprehenfjon  of  fin,  aqd  of  his  own  immanent  ha- 
zard as  under  the  guilt  of  it,  he  is  filled  with  uneaft- 
ftefb ',  bitterly  reflects  upon  himfelf,  arid  feels  all  that 
inward  diilreft  which  is  the  r^fult  of  a  cahfcioufnefs  of 
guilr,  an  actual  clear  view  ot  himfelf  'as  in  a  (late, 
wherein  he  d'efcrves  to  be  fent  away  to  be  made  im- 
Jiappy  in  ^he  place  of  blacknefs  of  darknefs. 

§orne,  perhaps,  may 'think,  there  is  no  need  of  this 
perception 'of  fin,  and  uneafinefs  from' a  fenfe  of  guilt ;' 
l>ut"us  ordinarily  rteceffary,  as  that  without  which  there 
Can  t>e  nP  fuch  thing  as  a  real  and  thorovy  conv,erfion 
to  Gop  *  TO  before,  !tis  a  matc^r  of  nect(Tity  in  re- 
Ipedc  of  adult.  perf(?ns-,  thofe  among  them  particularly, 
intvtad  of  being  reftrained  from  fin  from  their 
.  ,  '  earlv 

•   ~  "*  Joijn  1 6.  8."  : 


the  HOLT  GHOST.  13 

early  Childhood,  have  given  the  reins  to  their  !ufts? 
and  gone  on  adding  iniquity  to  tranfgrefiion.  JTi$ 
Seldom,  if  ever,  that  a  faving  change  is  effected  in 
fuch,  but  'tis  preceeded  with  bitter  reflections  on  their 
pad  fecurity  and  folly,  and  uneafy  fenfations  from  an 
apprehcnfion  of  themfelves  as  obnoxious  to  the  Divine 
vengeance. 

Tho*  it  ought  to  be  particularly  remembred  here, 
that  the  degrees  of  diftrefs,  from  a  confcioufnefs  of  fin 
and  fear  of  wrath,  are  vaftly  various  in  different  per- 
fons.  In  fome  ?tis  greater,  in  others  fmaller ;  in  fome 
'tis  of  longer,  in  others  of  fhorter  continuance ;  in  all, 
that  are  favingly  brought  home  to  GOD  in,  JESUS 
CHRIST,  the  concern  of  foul  is  fufficient  to  put:  them 
effectually  upon  the  ufe  of  app©inted  means  in  order- 
to  their  obtaining  mercy ;  but  in  none,  is  this  diftrefs 
excited  to  fo  great  a  degree  as  to  put  them  befide 
themfelves,  unlefs  from  their  own  weaknefs,  or  igno- 
rance, or  fome  faulty  caufe  or  other,  which  ought  noc 
to  be  afcribed  to  the  SPIRIT  of  GOD. 

And  it  may  be  worth  remembring  likewife,  that 
this  conviflion  of  fin  is  a  thing  quite  different  from  con- 
verfwn.  'Tis  only  the  firft  j:ep  towards  it,  a  prepa- 
ration of  mind  making  way  for  it:  Nor  unit fs  it  end 
in  this  bleffed  change,  will  it  fignify  any  thing,  if  per- 
fons  are  under  ever  fo  deep  diftrefs.  This  mould  be 
veil  confidered  by  fuch  as  may  be  under  convictions. 
You  may  not  from  hence  conclude  your  felves  to  be 
in  a  good  ftate.  The  fight  you  have  of  fin  as  an  evil 
thing,  the  apprehenfion  you  have  of  your  felves  as  ob- 
jects'of  wrath,  and  the  uneafmefs  you  may  be  under 
herefrom,  are  nothing  niore  than  the  tendencies  towards 
tfmverfib.%.  And  let  me  tell  you,  there  may  be  the 
former  and  not  the  latter.  You  may  turn  out  fhameful 
a.pc(lates  from  GOD  after  very  ferious  imprefllons, 
\ery  (Irong  convictions,  yea,  and  great  zeal  in  an  at- 
tendance on  rejigious  duties.  O  take  hted,  you  don** 

make 


*4  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

make  a  righteoufnefs  of  your  convictions,  that  you 
don't  place  them  in  the  room  of  CHRIST,  in  the  room 
of  true  Gofpel  repentance !  Don't  fuffer  your  felves  to 
reft  in  convictions !  Jf  you  place  your  religion  here, 
and  attain  no  higher,  they  will  do  you  no  good  ;  yea, 
notwithftanding  your  convictions,  tho'  they  have  (truck 
you  to  the  earth,  you  will  certainly  be  excluded  hea- 
ven, and  be  fent  away  to  hell.  Realife  it,  the  great 
defign  of  conviction  is  to  put  you  upon  the  ufe  of  the 
inftituted  means  of  falvation.  Their  ufe  is  to  fhew  you 
your,  need  of  CHRIST,  to  open  to  you  the  value  of 
grace,  and  quicken  you,  with  a  becoming  importunity, 
to  feek  GOD'S  face  and  favour:  And  if  they  are  not 
improv'd  for  thefe  purpofes,  they  will  be  of  no  fpiri- 
tual  fervice  to  you.  O  fix  it  in  your  minds  as  a  furc 
truth,  that  you  may  have  even  the  ftrongeft  convicti- 
ons, and  no  faving  good  follow  upon  them !  And  it  i$ 
often  thus ;  yea,  in  refpect  of  many  with  whom  it  is 
thus,  they  are  the  worfe,  and  not  the  better  for  their 
convictions.  Sinners  who  have  been  furprized  with 
fearfulnefs,  under  an  apprehenfion  of  fin  and  guilt, 
have  often  turn'd  out  the  worft  of  men,  the  moft  har- 
den'd  and  abandon'd  to  i-.ll  that  is  good.  The  latter 
end  with  them  has  been  worfe  than  the  beginning.  You 
are  therefqre,  at  prefent,  in  a  critical  (late ;  and  mould 
look  v/ell  to  your  felves,  leaft,  after  having  efcaped 
the  pollutions  that  are  in  the  world  through  luft,  you 
fjiould  turn  away  from  the  holy  commandment  deli- 
vered to  you.  But  I  muft  not  enlarge, 

2.  Another  operation,  included  in  this  gift  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST,  is  that  whereby  he  produces  in  men 
true  go f pel  faiib.  This  faith  is  much  celebrated  in  the 
writings  of  the  new  teftament.  5Tis  every  where  re- 
preferued  as  the  grand  charafferiftic  of  a  true  Chrtftian. 
?Tis  indeed  that  without  which  'tis  imppffible  to  pleafe 
Gpp  \  yea,  *as  by  this,  and  this,.«few,  that  we  are 


HOLT  GHOST.  tf 

juftifed  through  the  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,  without  th* 
deeds  of  the  law.  This  faith  is  varioufly  exhibited  to 
us ;  fometimes  in  metaphorical  language,  but  more 
commonly  in  plain,  eafy  words.  And  the  thing  in- 
tended by  it,  is  not  meerly  an  affent  of  the  mind  to 
gofpel  truths  :  This  indeed  there  will  be  ;  the  man  who 
has  true  faith  embraces  the  Scripture  revelation  i  yea^ 
the  whole  Scheme  of  Chriftian  Doflrine,  fo  far  as  he  has 
an  understanding  of  it,  and  he  will  have  an  undefftan- 
ding  of  it  fo  far  as  it  is  abfolutely  necelfary  ;  But  then, 
his  faith  is  not  a  meer  fpeculative  thing,  but  fuch  an 
inward,  ftrong  perfuafion  as  will  operate  in  gertsral 
agreably  to  the  truths  he  profeffes  to  believe :  In  par- 
ticular^  he  is  fo  fully  perfuaded  of  the  glorious  things 
fpoken  of  concerning  CHRIST,  hisperfon  and  mediato- 
rial undertaking  for  fmners,  that  he  acknowledges  no 
other  SAVIOUR,  nor  has  dependance  upon  any  but 
him  %  yea,  fo  clearly  fatisfied  is  he  of  the  ability  and 
readinefs  of  the  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  to  be  a  SA- 
VIOUR to  him,  of  the  fulnefs  of  grace  and  merit  there 
is  in  him,  that  he  ventures  his  all  on  him,  his  foul 
and  his  eternal  concerns  5  trufting  in  him,  and  in  him 
alone  for  righteoufnefs  and  eternal  life.  He  efteems 
himfelf  an  unprofitable  fervant^  after  he  has  done  his 
beft  ;  and  as  having  done  no  more  than  it  was  his 
duty  to  do.  He  counts  all  things  but  lofs  for  the  eX* 
cellency  of  the  knowledge  of  CHRIST  JESUS  his 
LORD  ;  yea,  he  counts  them  but  dung,  that  he  may 
win  CHRIST,  and  be  found  in  him^  not  having  on  bis 
own  righteoufnefs „  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that  which 
is  through  the  faith  of  CHRIST,  the  righteoufnefs  which 
is  of  GOD  by  faith. 

This  is  the  true  Chriftian  faith :  And  'tis  to  make 
Us  the  fubjects  of  this/#f/£,  that  the  HOLY  GHOST  is 
-poured  out.  *Tis  not  the  meer  refult  of  that  teftimony 
of  the  SPIRIT,  the  evidence  of  miracles^  by  which  the 
Gtfptl  has  been  confirmed,  as  a  revelation  from  SOD  5 

bus 


l6  A  Sermon  on  the  out  potifing  vf 

but  is  the  produce  of  that  internal  work  of  bis  upon  th£ 
mind  of  the  finner,  whereby,  the  eyes  of  his  underftan- 
ding  being  opened,  he  has  fuch  a  view  of  the  fuitabie- 
nefs  of  the  gofpel  method  of  falvation  in  general,  and 
of  the  lovelinefs  of  CHRIST  in  particular,  his  all-fuffi- 
ciency  to  be  his  SAVIOUR,  as  that  he  is  peffuaded 
and  enabled  to  embrace  him  as  fuchj  giving  himfelf 
*jp  to  him,  to  be  inftruded,  governed  and  faved  by 
him.  The  fcripture  is  every  where  full  in  it,  that 
this  faith  is  of  the  operation  of  the  SPIRIT.  Hencd 
*tis  particularly  mentioned  among  the  fruits  of  the 
SPIRIT*;  and  is  exprefly  fpoken  of,  as  of  the  ope- 
ration 0/"Goo-f,  and  as  the  gift  of  GOD  [[.  And  when 
Simon  Peter  profeffed  his  faith  in  CHRIST,  in  thofe 
words,  Thou  art  CHRIST  the  SON  of  the  living  GOD  ^ 
JESUS  faid  unto  him,  Flejh  and  blood  hath  not  revealed 
it  to  thee^  but  my  FATHER  which  is  in  heaven^. 

3.  Another  operation,  included  in  the  gift  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST,  is  the  change  whereby  men  are  made 
-new  creatures.  We  every  where  read,  in  the  infpir'd 
writings,-  of  a  Change,  which  'tis  necefTary  Sinners 
fhould  pafs  under,  as  ever  they  would  hope,  according 
to  the  tenour  of  the  Gofpel  covenant,  to  be  admitted 
into  the  coming  kingdom  of  GOD.  This  change  is 
fpoken  of  under  a  variety  of  names.  'Tis  fometimcs 
called  converfion^  fometimes  regeneration^  fometimes  'tis 
compar'd  to  a  refurre^iion^  and  fometimes  to  a  neiv 
creation.  The  fame  thing  is  intended  in  all  thefe 
phrafes ;  even  that  change  which  is  made  in  men, 
when  they  become  true  Ghriftians/;  Not  that  there  is 
any  change  effedted  in  them,  phyfically  fpeakingi 
their  natural  powers  and  faculties  are  ftill  the  fame: 
But.  in  the  religious  and  moral  fenfe,  they  are  ftrangelf 
ahered.  There  is  a  change  wrought  both  in  their 

hearts 

*  Gal  5.  22,    f  Col.  i,  12,    8  Eph,  2,  8,    §  Mat,  16.  16,  r;. 


the  HOLT  GfJOSt  -  *7 

hearts  and  lives;  in  all  their  inward  principles  as  well 
as  outward  behaviour  in  the  world.  They  are,  as  ic 
were,  new  moulded  and  fafhioned.  They  have  other 
thoughts  and  fentioients,  other  fprings  of  aftion^  other 
views  and  aims  j  they  are  fo  altered  as  to  be  quite 
other  perfons,  they  have  another  temper  of  mind,  ano- 
ther tafte,  and  relifll,  another  heart  and  foul,  and  they 
lead  another  kind  of  life,',  are  pious  towards  GOD,  righ- 
teous towards  men,  and  fober  in  refpect  of  themfelves. 

This  is  the  change  we  muft  pals  under,  in  order  to 
our  being  made  meet  for  the.  inheritance  of  the  faints 
in  light.  And  'tis  to  effect  this  change,  that  the  HOLT 
.GHOST,  is  given:  Nor  can  it  be  effected  in -any  way 
but  by  his  operations  in  us.  It  is  not  the  produce  of 
tneer  reafon,  nor  of  external  revelation.  It  is  not  bro'c 
about  by  the  bare  influence  of  moral  motives^  whether 
they  are  fetch'd  from  the  law  or  the  Gofpel :  N6j  but 
it  is  an  effgtt ,  of  the  power  of  the  SPIRIT,  working 
effectually  in  them  that  believe.  And  'tis  every  where 
in  the  bible  fpoken  of  as  fuch.  This  is  the  juft  import 
of  the  metaphors,  under  which  this  change  is  figur'd 
out  to  us.  That  of  a  new  creation  points  .our  view  di- 
rectly to  GOD  as  the  author  of  "converfion.  If  this 
were  an  eafy  burinefs,  a  matter  within  the  reach  of 
men's  own  power*  what. they  could  accompliuH  by  an 
act  of  their  own  free  will,  it  Would  never  have  been  fet 
forth  under  this  fimiiitudq.  To  create  is  the  known 
prerogative  of  GOD  :  And  the  firft  thing  moft  obvi- 
oufly  occurring  to  our.  minds  fro.m  this  refemblance .  is^ 
that  the  new  creature  is  the  workman/hip  of  Go  i> .  The 
fame  thought  is  fuggefted  from  the  metaphor  of  a  re- 
furrettion,  under  which  this  change  is  fometimes'  fpoken 
of.  Raifmg  the  dead  befpeaks  the  agency  of  GOD. 
'Tis  therefore  natural,  and  almoft  unavoidable,  when  we 
read  of  converfion  under  this  figure,-  to  conclude  it  to  be 
a  work  beyond  the  power  of  man,  and  as  requiring  av 
Sivinf  fewer  to  effect  it. 

C  But 


iS  A  Sermon  on  the  out- pouring  of 

But  be  fides  metaphors^  there  are  plain  texts  to  oufr 
purpofe.  Says  the  infpired  Paul^  treating  of  this  mat- 
ter, *  'We  are  HIS  werkmanjhip^  created  in  CHRIST 
JESUS  to  good  works.  And  we  find  the  blefifed  GOD 
himfclf  befpeaking  his  people,  by  way  of  promife,  in 
fuch  terms  as  thofe,  -f  A  new  heart  alfo  will  I  give  unto 
you,  and  a  new  fpirit  will  1  put  within  you  :  and  I  will 
take  away  the  flony  heart  out  of  your  fiejh^  and  I  will 
give  you  a  heart  of  flejh.  The  like  promife  we  have 
ag;in  [],  -And  I  will  put  a  new  heart  within  you  ;  and  1 
'will  take  the  flony  heart  out  of  ycur  fiejh^  and  give  you 
an  heart  of  Jlejh.  'Tis'as  plain,  from  thefe  and  many 
Other  texts  that  might  eafily  be  mentioned,  as  words 
can  make  it,  that  the  change  ngnifred  by  converfion  or 
the  new  creature^  is  the  work  of  GOD  ;  his  work  by 
his  holy  SPIRIT,  which  he  gives  to  men  to  effect  this 
change  in  thrm. 

But  fome,  perhaps,  may  be  fo  curious  as  to  afk  how 
does  the  HOLY  GHOST  produce  this  change  in  men  ? 

And  to  fuch  the  anfwcr  is,  this  is  one  of  thofe 
things,  concerning  which  we  know  but  very  little : 
Nor  ought  our  ignorance,  as  to  the  manner  of  this  pro- 
duction, to  be  efteemed  the  leaft  objection  againft  the 
truth  of  the  thing.  We  know  not  the  manner  in  the 
•natural ;  and  why  fhould  it  be  thought  ftrange  if  we 
know  not  the  manner  in  the  fpiritual  creation  ?  The 
methods  of  operation,  in  the  Kingdom  of  grace^  and  in 
the  Kingdom  of  nature^  are  both  alike  fecret  and  myfte- 
rious :  And  we  have  no  more  reafon  therefore  to  ob- 
ject againft  the  former  than  the  latter.  'Tis  no  argu- 
ment againft  the  formation  of  children,  that  we  know 
ftot  how  the  lones  grow  in  the  womb  of  her  that  is  with 
child  -y  neither  is  it  of  any  validity  againft  the  formation 
of  the  new  man,  that  we  know  not  precifely  the  way 
and  manner  in  which  the  Divine  SPIRIT  exerts  himfelf 

in 

*  £ph.  2,  10.         f  Ezek,  36,  26,-    .     U  Chap,   n,  ver.  t$* 


the  HOLT  GHOST.  19 

in  die  produ&ion  of  this  fpiritual  workman/hip :  They 
are  both  fearful  and  wonderful. 

Thus  much  indeed  we  know  in  general,  that  in  new 
making  men,  the  Divine  SPIRIT  acts  in,  and  upon. 
them,  in  a  way  fuited  to  their  nature  as  Men^  in  a  way 
that  agrees  with  their  character  as  moral  agents.  He 
fo  manages  the  matter,  as  that  they  are  changed  inco 
new  men,  in  a  method  perfectly  harmonizing  with  their 
feveral  powers,  fo  as  that  they  oppofe  not  one  another,. 
but  are  preferved  in  due  dependance  and  fubordinaiiojci 
to  each  other.  Light  is  commanded  to.  fhme  inro  ihe 
under/landing,  the  enlighten'd  under/landing  ^i»fcts  and 
governs  the  will,  and  the  will  the  feveral  '  affettions  of 
the  foul  and  powers  of  the  body :  But  to  fay  precifily 
how  the  HOLY  GHOST  enlightens  the  mind,  and  then 
captivates  the  will,  and  then  prefer  ves  the  affeftions  an4 
fafffons  in  due  harmony,  and  conducts  the  life  in  the- 
way  of  holinefs;  thefe  things,  I  fay,  are  di^cuftks  ia 
this  difpenfation  of  grace :  And  as  they  are  fuch,  trig 
lefs  we  puzzle  our  felves  or  others  about  them,  the  bet- 
ter. The  thing  is  certain,  Men  are  fometimts  new 
made;  and  when  they  are  fo,  'tis  as  evident  from  ihe 
Scripture,  that  'tis  GOD  by  his  SPIRIT,  that  new 
makes  them.  Let  us  fee  to  it,  that  we  be  in  the  num- 
ber of  thofe  who  are  new  creatures^  and  as  to  the  way 
and  manner  in  which  it  pleafes  GOD  to  bring  this 
about,  we  need  not  be  at  all  concerned  about  it.  To 
goon, 

4.  Another  thing,  included  in  this  gift  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST,  is  his  exciting  fincere  Chriftians  to,  and  affift^ 
ing  them  in,  the  practice  of  their  duty,  to  their  increa- 
fing  in  grace,  and  perfevering  therein  unto  the  end, 
There  is  need  of  the  HOLY  GHOST  not  only  to  turn, 
men  from  the  power  of  (in  and  Satan  unto  GOD,  but? 
when  they  are  thus  changed,  to  ftir  them  up  to  acti- 
vity in  the  work  of  GOD  and  their  Soul's  ftlvation,  ancj 

C  3  to 


ao  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pourtng  of 

to  affift  them  in  it.  If  left  to  themfelves,  the  beft 
Chriftians,  thofe  that  are  Tulleft  of  faith  and  Holinefs", 
and  every  other  grace,  would  foon  lofe  their  vigour  : 
nor  without  the  continual  aids  of  the  Divine  SPIRIT 
wpqid  they  be  able  to  honour  CHRIST,  and  adorn 
their  profeffion  by  a  converfation  becoming  the  Gofpd. 
'"JThe  HOLY  GHOST  therefore  is  given  to  them,  to 'ex- 
cite good  motions  in  them,  to  animate  their  refolutions, 
to  quicken  their  graces  and  afTift  them  in  the  exercife 
of  mem,  to  their  running  the  way  of  GOD?S  command- 
rnents  with  ftrength  and  vigour,  with  chearfulnefs  and 
delight.  This  is  certainly  the  language  of  Scripture 
upon 'this  head".  Ffence  that  prayer  of  holy  'Davidy  * 
Quicken  me  according  to  thy  word !  and  again, "f  Quicken 
ihou  me  in  thy  way!'  And  hence  alib  thofe  pious  ac- 
knowledgments of  his,  ||  Thy  word,  i.  e/'as  enliven'd 
by  thy  SPIRIT,  bath  Quickened  me.  And  again,  §  / 
will 'never  forget  thy  precepts  ,  for  with  them  thou  haft 
quickened  me. '"  And  the  HOLY  GHOST  is  faid  to  dwell 
tn  the' hearts  of  good  'Chnftians ;  and  they  are  repre- 
iented  as  led  by  the  SPIRIT,  and  as  walking  in  the 
.SPIRIT.  The  plain  meaning  of  ail  which  texts  is,  at 
feafi  thus  much,  ih.it  the  HOLY  GHOST  is  given  to 
good  men  to  be  their  excitement  in  duty5  t;heir  conti- 
nual help  in  the  practice  of  it. 

And  'tis  vowing  to  the  fame  prefence  and  influence 
of  the  HO'LY  GHOS'T,  th.it  tKey'are  enabled  to  grow 
in  grace,  and  in  a  conformity  to  the  image  and  exanv 
j-»le  of  their  5avioqr ;  to  be  mpre  weaned  from  this 
^'orld,  ant]  prepared  for  a  better! 

Tri  on'e  word;'  'tis  owing  to  the  fame  influence  dill, 
that 'they  are' kept  trom  failing;  and  preferved  throngii 
faff h  unto  flilvatron.  And  indeed,  fuch  are  their  in- 
dilpoFrcions '  withifi5  and  'fuch  their  'ten^ptaticns 
tokhout  \  flicH  is  the  fubti'lty  of  Satan,  luch  the  fo ares 

>i  !.-:»...     i,    :     ;    \    >•-:    v  •       ••    -.-.,  .,..,     -  •       •  •  .1     •/.      ^r 


*  Fi>.bci  119;  25.     f  V&!-,  ^5.     (I  ver.  50.     §  ver.  93, 

-  .•  ••       ,    •  •       •        ~       '• 


tbc  HOUf  GHOST.  11 

pF  the  world,  and  fiich  their  own  weaknefs,  that  it 
could  not  be  expected,  but  they  fliould  draw  back  tq 
perdition,  were  they  not  under  the  fpecial  and  continual 
guidance  of  the  HOLY  GHOST  :  And  to  this  it  is 
always  attributed  in  Scripture,  that  they  are  preferved 
unto  CH  R  IST'S  heavenly  kingdom.  Hence  the  apojlle 
fpeaks  of  them,  *  as  thofe  who  are  kept  by  the  power  of 
€OD,  through  faith,  unto  fahation.  Hence  alfo  that 
Doxology  in  the  Epijlle  of  Jude,  -f  Now  unto  him  that  is 
able  to  keep  you  from  falling,  and  to  prefent  you  faultleft 
before  the  'pre fence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  Joy,  to  the 
only  wife  GOD  our  SAVIOUR,  be  glory  and  majefly^  dq- 
minion  and  power,  both  now  and  ever.  Amen. 

5.  Another  thing  contained  in  thtgift  of  the  HoLy 
GHOST  is  fupport  and  confolation  under  fufferings  and 
afflictions.  Frequent  mention  is  made  of  this  in  the 
writings  of  the  new  Teftament.  When  the  apoftle 
Paul  fought  to  GOD  for  grace,  in*  a  time  of  great 
tryal,  that  was  the  anfwer  of  GOD  to  him,  ||  My  grace 
is  fufficient  for  ihee  •,  for  my  Jlrength  is  made  per f eft  in 
weaknefs.  And  hear  how  this  Tame  apojlle  triumphs 
over  difficulties,  and  all  manner  of  fufferings,  in  the 
power  ot  this  grace  of  the  SPIRIT  of  GOD.  §  There- 
fore I  take  pleafure  in  infirmities,  in  reproach^,  in  ne- 
Cfffities,  in  perfections,  for  CHR  isT*sfake.  And  other$ 
alfo  have  been  ftrengthened,  with  all  might,  to  all 
long  fuffering,  according  to  the  glorious  power  of  the 
SPIRIT  of  JESUS  CHRIST,  which  has  been  given  to 
them.  'It  was  eminently  thus,  in  the  firft  days  of  the 
Gofpel,  with  the  ConfeiTors  and  Martyrs  for  the  name 
and  caufe  of  CHRIST.  The  ftrength  of  GOD  was  vifi-% 
bly  perfected  in  many  of  thefe,  who,  being  weak,  were 
yet  made  ftrbng  :to  fuffer  for  his  fake.  To  what 
elfe  can  it  be  afcribed,  that  they  were  enabled  to  en- 
counter 


j  Pet.  i,  5.     f  ve?,  24,  25,      ||  2  Cor,   12.  9.     §  ver.   IQ, 

J  iw%,    ,      -        i    }-<     »  s]   -•,        ,        -   •;    -r.«     ,     ;-5   l:*'f*S& 


az  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

counter  fo  many  deaths,  with  fo  much  caimnefs  and 
patience,  with  fo  much  chearfulnefs  and  holy  rejoicing  ? 
How  elfe  can  it  be  accounted  for,  that  they  fhould  be 
ready  to  give  themfelves  up  to  be  tortured,  not  accept- 
ing deliverance;  that  they  fliould  be  willing  to  undergo 
the  tryal  of  cruel  mockings  and  fcourgings,  yea^  moreover ^ 
of  bonds  and  imprifonment  •,  that  they  fhould  fubmit  to 
be  ftoned,  to  be  fawn  afunder,  to  be  Jlain  with  the/word; 
that  they  fhould  be  content  to  wander  about  in  Jheep* 
Jkins  and  goat- Jkins ^  being  deftitute,  afflicJed^  tormented: 
I  fay,  to  what  can  it  be  attributed,  that  they  fhould  be 
willing  to  fubmit  to  thefe  fufferings,  and  be  able  to  go 
through  them  with  courage,  and  patience,  and  even 
joy,  but  to  this,  that  they  were  divinely  affifted  ?  The 
power  of  the  SPIRIT  of  JESUS  CHRIST  was  with 
them,  fupporting,  encouraging  and  ftrengthning  them  : 
And  to  this  it  was  owing,  that  they  were  both  willing 
and  able  to  fuffer  any  thing  for  the  honour  of  him, 
who  had  loved  them,  and  died  for  them.  And  the 
fame  power  of  the  fame  SPIRIT  is  ready  to  be  with 
us,  under  all  the  tryals  and  fufferings,  we  are  called  to 
p  ifs  through,  in  the  courfe  of  providence.  The  fame 
plefTed  SPIRIT,  which  was  given  to  them  is  promifed 
to  us  alfo  •,  and  'tis  now  often  ft  en,  that  he  is  a  fupport 
£'id  comfort,  in  a  glorious  degree,  to  fincere  Chriftians, 
in  proportion  to  what  they  are  called  to  endure ;  yeaj 
and  fuch  is  the  fenfe  they  fometimes  have  of  the  con- 
foLuions  of  GOD,  that  they  are  able  to  exult,  in  the 
midft  of  the  heavicft  tryals,  in  the  language  of  the  holy 
^pofile  Paul,  *  Blejfed  be  GOD,  even  /£<?  FATHER  of 
cxr  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,  //^  FATHER  of  mercies^ 
and  the  GOD  .of  all  comfort,  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our 
tribulation.  For  as  the  fufferings  of  Cu  R  IST  abound  in 
usy  fo  our  confolation  aboundeth  by  CHRIST. 

g.  Anothef 


the  HOLT  GHQSt.  23 

6.  Another  thing  contained  in  this^//  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST,  is  that  inward  joy ',  which  Chriftians  are  fome- 
times  the  fubjects  of.  This  Joy  is  therefore  particular- 
ly mentioned  as  one  of  the  fruits  of  the  SPIRIT*. 
And  Chriftians  are  fometimes  fpoken  of  as  having  Joy 
in  Goof ,  as  rejoicing  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  GOD  |j, 
yea,  as  rejoicing  with  joy  unfpeakaUe  and  full  of  glory  §. 
And  they  are  repreiented,  as  praying  to  GOD  to  Jill 
them  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing** ,  and  as  giving 
thanks  to  GOD,  who  caufeth  them  to  triumph  in  CH  R  IST^.: 
And  the  peace  of  GOD  ,  which  pa/eth  all  under  ft  anding^ 
is  promifed'to  them,  to  keep  their  hearts  and  minds  thro* 
CHRIST  JESUS  (|[|.  The  obvious  import  of  all  which 
texts  is,  that  there  is  fuch  a  thing  as  inward  peace  and 
pleafure,  which  fometimes  rifes  to  fuch  a  height  in  the 
hearts  of  fincere  Chriftians,  as  to  caufe  them  to  exult 
and  triumph  in  GOD  :  Nor  is  this  Joy  the  effect  of 
fneer  nature  j  neither  does  it  refult  from  they^exerciie 
of  the  mind*  either  upon  it  felf,  or  the  truths  revealed 
in  the  Gofpel,  but  is  the  produce  of  the  HOLY  GHOST, 
which  is  given  to  them.  That  of  COMFORTER  is 
therefore  the  Style,  in  which  this  blefled  SPIRIT  is 
fometimes  fpoken  of  in  Scriptufe  §§.  And  becaufe  it- 
is  by  the  HOLY  GHOST,  that  GOD  comforteth  his  peo* 
pie,  he  is  therefore  called  the  GOD  of  confoldtion  *[).. 

But  to  prevent  our  falling  into  miftakes  about  this 
Joy,  'twill  be  neceffary  to  obferve  here,  that  when  evei* 
it  is  the  genuine  fruit  of  the  SP  i  R  i  T,  and  not  a  coUn- 
'terfeit,  the  foundation  of  it  is  laid  in  a  faith  that  purifies 
the  hearty  and  purges  the  confcience  from  dead  works  to 
ferve  the  living  GOD.  Hence  that  of  the  apoftle, 
*§  For  our  REJOICING  is  this,  the  teflimony  of  our  con- 
'fcience,  that  in  fimplicity  and  godly  fincerity,  not  with 
jlejhly  wifdom,  but  by  the  grace  of  Go  D ,  we  have  our  con- 

verfation 

*  Gat  £.  22.  f  Kom.  2.  ii.  ||  v.  Z2:  §  i  Pet.  -i.  8.  **  Rom. 
15-  13-  I  2  Cor.  2.  14.  j|||  Phil,  4.  7,  §§  Job,  14.  16.  ,*j|  Rom. 
^5-  ^5-  *§  2  Cor.  i.  12, 


^4  A  Sermon  on  the  out-ponring  of 

yerfation  in  the  world.  And  very  obfervable  to  .the 
lame  purpofe  is  that  exhortation  of  this  fame  apoftie,* 
But  let  every  man  prove  bis  own  work,  and  then  ft  all  he 
have  rejoicing  in  himfelf.  The  way  to  true  Joy  is  a 
religious  and  impartial  examination  into  the  frame  of 
our  hearts,  and  the  courfe  of  our  adtions,  and  if  our 
Joy  fprings  from  a  clear  difcernment  of  thefe  as  con- 
torm'd  to  the  tenour  of  the  Gofpei  covenant,  we  may 
hope  it  is  the  produce  of  a  divine  influence  :  Whereas* 
if  it  is  a  fudden  flam  only,  and  arifes  we  know  not 
how,  nor  upon  what  it  is  bottom'd,  'tis  much  to  be 
fufpe&ed  •,  to  be  fure\  no  great  ftrefs  fhquJd  be  laid  on 
it.  For  'tis  to  be  remembred,  there  is  the  Joy  of  the 
hypocrite  as  well  as  of  the  good  Chriftian  ;  there  is  a 
Joy  that  is  the  effect  of  ntiiure  as;  well  as  grace.  Such 
was  the  joy  of  the  ftony  ground  hearers  ;  iuch  was  the 
gladnefs,  with  which  Herod  heard  John  Baptift  preach/, 
and  fuch  was  the  tafte  of  the  word  of  GOD,  and  of  the 
powers  of  the  world  to  come^  which  the  Jewijb  apoftates 
were  partakers  off.  In  all  thefe  per  Ions,  there  was 
the  pafiion  of  Joy,  and  it  arofe,  probably,  in  fome  of 
them,  to  a  confiderable  height  •,  but  yet,  was  nothing 
more  than  z.  fenfitive  pqffion^  the  refill  t  of  the  workings 
of  nicer  animal  nature.  And  this,  it  may  be  feared^ 
is  the  only  Joy  of  many  others  :  It  certainly  is,  of  ail 
r>hofe,  who  have  Joy  without  faith.  Men  may  pretend 
what  they  pleafe,  but  if  they  are  not  pofTeft  of  faith  t 
that  faith  I  mean,  which  is  a  living  principle  of  grace 
in  the  Heart,  and  will  evidence  it  felf  to  be  fo  by  its 
genuine  influence  on  the  life,  their  Joy  is  only  a  fire 
of  their  own  kindling  ;  and  tho'  they  walk  in  the  light 
of  their  fire,  and  in  the  jparks  which  they  have  kindled^ 
yet  may  they,  notwithstanding,  receive  this  at  the  hand 
of  GOD,  they  ma)  lie  down  in  for  row. 

And 


•  6,  4,  f  Hebv  6; 


tie  HOLT  GHOST.  25- 

And  as  this  Joy,  if  it  be  produced  by  the  SPIRIT 
of  GOD,  will  fpring  from  he  art -purifying  faith  ^  fo  will 
k  make  thofe  who  have  it  humble.  They'll  be  for 
exalting  GOD,  and  abafing  themfelves.  An  illuftrious 
example  of  this  we  have  in  the  great  apoftle  of  the 
Gentiles.  No  meer  man,  it  may  be,  ever  more  aboun- 
ded in  Joy  than  he ;  and  yet,  who  more  filled  with 
humility  ?  By  the  grace  of  GOD,  fays  he,*  7  am  what  I 
am.  And  again,")"  1  lwe\  yet  not  7,  but  CHRIST 
livctb  in  me.  And  comparing  himfelf  with  his  fellow- 
labourers  in  the  work  of  the  LORD,  that  is  his  lan- 
guage [|,  I  am  the  leajl  of  the  apoftles,  and  not  meet  to  be 
called  an  apoftle ;  yea,  he  fpeaks  of  himfelf  §,  as  lefs 
than  the  leaft  of  all  Saints.  And  this  humble  frame  of 
foul  is  ever  a  concomitant  of  true  fpiritual  joy  and  con- 
folation 'in  the  LORD.  It  difpofes  perfons  to  entertain 
a  low  thought  of  themfelves.  So  far  are  they  from 
boafling  of  their  own  goodnefs,  that  they  wonder  at 
the  grace  of  GOD,  in  taking  notice  of  fuch  unworthy 
creatures  as  they  are.  They  are  not  of  the  Spirit  of 
the  Pharifees  in  the  gofpel,  who  trufted  in  themfelves 
that  they  were  righteous^  and  defpifed  others :  On  the 
contrary,  that  is  a  juft  reprefentation  of  their  true  tem- 
per, in  lowlihefe  of  mind,  efteeming  others  better  than 
themfelves. 

Moreover,  this  Joy^  if  it  be  of  the  HOLY  GHOST, 
will  obfcrve,  at  leaft  fo  far  as  it  is  under  his  guidance, 
a  juft  decorum  in  the  way  and  manner  of  expr  effing  it 
felf.  It  won't  be  oftentatious,  difcovering  a  forward- 
nefs  to  fliow  it  felf  in  fuch  methods  as  are  out  of  the 
v/ay,  and  carry  the  face  of  a  defire  to  be  feen  of  men. 
It  will  chufe  rather  in  private  to  vent  it  felf  in  acknow- 
ledgments of  praife  to  GOD,  than  in  the  ftreels,  and 
public  places  of  concourfe :  This  is  too  like  the  Pharifees, 
v/ho  lov'd  to  pray  in  the  corners  of  the  ftreets,  that  they 

D  might 

V 

*   i  Cor.  15.  10.     f  Gal.  2.  20.     J  i  Cor.  15.  9,     §  Eph.  3.  8, 


1(5  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

might  ie  feen  of  men  :  Nor  does  it  feem  fo  congruous  a 
thing  to  behold  this  joy  operating  in  LAUGHTER. 
*Tis,  in  its  nature,  a  lober,  rational  fatisfactiori  and  de- 
light i  and  ,is  converfant  about  the  moft  ferious  and 
awful  matters.  A  difpofition  to  laughter  feems  there- 
fore to  favour  too  much  of  levity,  to  be  an  appendage 
of  this  joy.  5Tis  indeed  too  frnfual  a  mode  of  ex- 
prcffing  fo  Divine  a  paffion,  and  approaches  too  n-ear 
to  the  way,  in  which  the  men  of  the  world  exprefs 
that  joy,  which  has  the  things  of  time  and  fenfe  for  its 
proper  object :  Nor  does  it  difcover  that  awe  and  re- 
verence, that  holy  fear  and  caution,  with  which  this 
Joy  ought  always  to  be  mixt,  as  it  has  to  do  with  the 
infinite  majefty  of  heaven,  and  the  everlafting  concerns 
of  our  fouls, 

In  fine,  it  deferves  our  further  confideration  here, 
that  the  pajjlonate  part  of  this  Joy,  the  fenfible  working 
Of  it,  is  widely  different  in  different  perlons,  according 
to  the  different  turn  of  their  natural  tempers.  Some  are 
of  a  ductile  make,  their  paffions  foft,  and  apt  to  carry 
them  into  tranfports.  And  if  perfons  of  this  moveable 
difpofition  are  more  fenfibly  affected,  than  .others  of  a 
firm  and  fteady  frame  of  mind,  'tis  no  other  than  might 
be  expected :  But,  perhaps,  a  fettled,  permanent  com- 
pofure  and  delight  of  foul,  arifing  from  the  teftimony 
of  a  good  confcience,  is  the  moft  defirable  fenfe,  iri 
•which  we  can  be  pcfleft  of  the  joys  of  religion ;  at 
leaft,  in  ordinary  cafes :  To  be  fure,  whoever  have 
this  peace  of  GOD,  this  joy  of  the  LORD,  they  are 
bleffcd  perfons,  tho'  they  know  not  the  meaning  of 
thofe  raptures  fome  others  may  experience  \  and  the 
ftate  of  mind  they  are  brought  to,  they  may  allure 
themfelves,  is  an  effect  of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  which 
has  been  at  work  in  them. 

7.  The  laft  thing,  the  time  will  allow  me  to  men- 
tion, as  contained  in  (bis  gift,  is  the  wtnefi  of  the  SPI- 
RIT. 


the  HOLT  GHOST.  17 

RIT,  That  is  to  fay,  that  influence  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST  whereby  he  fatisfies  good  Chriftians  of  their 
adoption  into  GOD'S  family,  and  intereft  in  the  promifes 
of  the  Gofpel  covenant.  The  holy  apoftle  Paul  is  very 
exprefs  in  taking  notice  of  this  inftance  of  the  SPIRIT'S 
operation.  Hence  he  applies  to  thofe,  who  are  led  by 
the  SPIRIT,  and  are  the  Sons  of  GOD,  in  that  language, 
*  But  ye  have  received  the  SP  i  R  i  T  of  adoption,  whereby 
ye  cry,  Abba,  father.  Parallel  whtreto  are  thofe  words 
of  his,  in  his  Epiftle  to  the  Galatians  -f%  And  because  ye 
are  Sons,  GOD  hath  fent  forth  /^SPIRIT  of  his  SON, 
into  your  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  father.  But  the  moft 
obfervable  text  to  this  purpofr,  is  that  in  Rom.  8.  i(J» 
17.  tfhe  SPIRIT  it  felf  beareth  witnefi  with  cur  Spi- 
rits, that  we  are  the  children  &f  GOD :  And  if  children* 
then  Heirs,  heirs  of  GOD,  and  joint  heirs  with  CnRisTf 

Some,  perhaps,  from  this  text,  may  expert  an  im- 
mediate whifper  from  the  SPIRIT,  or  fome  fecret  eJC- 
traordinary  impulfe,  alluring  them,  they  are  the  chil- 
dren of  GOD.  And  J  deny  not  but  the  HOLY  GHOST 
can,  if  he  pleafes,  in  this  way,  make  it  evident  to  a. 
man,  that  he  is  an  heir  to  the  inheritance  of  the  Saints 
in  light :  But  this  does  not  appear  to  be  the  way  of  the; 
SPIRIT';  witnej]ing\  and  it  may  be  dangerous  for 
perfons  to  ground  their  hopes  of  heaven  upon  meer 
impulfes  and  irnpreffions  :  Efpecially,  will  this  be  dan- 
gerous, if  they  fet  up  thefe  things  in  the  room  of  the 
written  word,  or  depend  upon  them  in  oppofition  to  it. 
Multitudes  have  by  degrees  come  to  this,  and  dreadful 
have  been  the  deluftons  they  have  been  betrayed  into, 
They  have  even  miftook,  not  only  the  workings  of 
their  own  imaginations,  but  the  fuggeftions  of  S4tan.t 
for  undoubted  dictates  of  the  HOLY  GHOST. 

This  witnefs  of  the  SPIRIT  is  always  agreable  tQ 
the  Scripture,  a,nd  lies,  principally  in  twq  things. 


8.  i^  f  Qtei(K 


i8  A  Serwon  en  tke  out-pouring  of 

in  producing  in  us  the  difpofuion  of  GOD*S  children, 
which  is  done  in  the  work  of  regeneration,  whcrtby  we 
are  form'd  to  a  Divine  likenefs,  and  made,  as  it  were, 
living  images  of  our  FATHER  in  heaven.  And  then, 
fecondly>  in  helping  us  to  fee  in  our  felves  this  filial 
frame  and  temper  of  Soul,  and  fa  to  fee  it  as  from 
hence  to  be  clearly  perfuaded  of  our  intereft  in  the 
rights  of  the  Sons  of  GOD.  The  frft  of  thefe  is  the 
proper  Gofpel  evidence  to  the  privi  ledge  of  adoption  \ 
the  fecond,  that  by  which  jt  is  made  evident  to  us  that 
this  pri  vi  ledge  is  ours  ;  and  by  both  is  compleated  the 
witnefs  of  the  SPIRIT,  that  influence  of  his,  whereby 
we  are  allured  that  we  are  GOD'S  children. 

Let  me  add  here,  and  I  may  do  it  with  the  greateft 
boldnefs,  that  where  there  is  not  a  work  of  grace  in 
the  heart,  it  can  never  be  witnefied  to  a  man,  that  he 
is  a  child  of  GOD  ;  for  he  is  not:  And  by  whatever 
impulies,  impreflipns,  or  revelations,  he  is  made  to  be- 
lieve that  he  is,  he  is  certainly  under  the  influence  of 
a  heated  imagination,  or  a  fpiric  of  delufion.  The, 
Divine  SPIRIT,  as  Mr.  HENRY  obferves,  "  wit- 
refTes  to  none,  the  pri  v  Hedges  of  children,  that  have 
not  the  nature  and  difpofition  of  children";  No,  but 
he  "  ttftifies  our  adoption,  as  Mr.  BURKITT'J  words 
are,  by  evidencing  to  us  pur  fancYification!  And  all 
this,  as  he  addst,  is  done,  not  by  fudden  impulfes,  and 
immediate  infpirations,  which  is  the  ivitmffing  of  the 
SPI  RIT,  Entbufeajls  pretend  to,  but  the  SPIRIT  wit- 
wjfes  in  'a  way  of  argumentation.  Thus,  vyhoever  re- 
pents, believes  and  obeys  the  Gofpel,  fays  the  Scrip- 
ture, (hall  be  faved  *,  but  the  SPIR  IT  helps  us  to  fee 
that  we  do  fo,  and  accordingly  enables  us  to  infer  and 
conclude  that  we  fliall  be  faved.'*  -  But  I  am  fenft- 
t>le  I  have  'been  too  long  in  explaining"  to  you,  what 
y/e  aje  to  underitand  by  the  gift  of  tbe  Ho^  y  GHOST*. 


in  Ioc0 

•:••  -  .  :  \  •"   •  ;    :  •'  . 


the  HOLY  GHOST.  19 

I  therefore  haften,  to  the  next  pbfervable  in  the  text, 
viz. 

II.  The  Perfom  to  whom  the  HOLY  GHOST  is  faid  to 
have  been  given  >  and  thefe  wtre  the  Gentiles  alft. 
I  e.  both  Jews  and  Gentiles,  the  one  as  well  as  the 
Other,  without  refpecl  of  pc-rions. 

The  Jews  were  formerly  the  people  of  GOD?  in  di- 
ftinction  from  all  others.  The  LORD  was  their  GOD 
fo  as  he  was  not  the  GOD  of  other  nations.  He  had 
felected  them  out  of  the  reft  of  the  world,  to  be  in- 
ftrucled,  conduced  and  blcfied  by  him  beyond  any 
other  people :  They  are  therefore  called  a  cbofen  gene- 
ration-^ a  peculiar  people-,  and  to  them,  as  the  apoftle 
fpeaks,  pertained  the  adoption,  and  the  glory,  and  the 
giving  the  law,  and  the  covenant,  and  the  promifes  of 
GOD.  And  they  had  a  high  conceit  of  themselves, 
on  account  of  this  didinction,  GOD  had  made  between 
them,  and  the  ether  nations  of  the  earth  ;  encouraging 
a  hope,  as  if  it  would  alvrays  continue :  Nor  could 
they  be  reconciled  to  the  thought  of  an  enlargement 
of  GOD'S  covenant,  fo  as  to  bring  others  upon  a  level 
with  them  in  regard  of  the  favour  of  GOD,  and  thel 
happinefs  of  heaven.  The  apoftles  themfelves;  and 
this,  even  after  the  death  and  refurredion  of  CHRIST, 
were  too  much  under  the  influence  of  this  Jewijb  Spi- 
rit. And  it  was,  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  by  a 
yifion  from  heaven,  that  Peter  was  /hewed  not  to  call- 
any  man  common  or  unclean.  And  it  was  upon  h's 
preaching,  in  confluence  of  this  Divine  revelation,  iq 
that  drain,  I  perceive  of  a  truth,  that  God  is  no  refpeffer. 
of  perfons-,  but  in  every  nation,  he  that  fear eth  God  and 
tvorketh  righteoufnefs  is  accepted  of  him  -,  I  fay,  it  was 
upon  Peter's  preaching  in  fuch  language  as  this,  tluc 
C|OD  ov/ned  the  truth  of  what  he  delivered,  by  a  mi- 
raculous effuf^on  of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  even  while  he 
was  preaching,  upon  all  his  hearers  promifcuoufly,  borfy 


jo  A  Sermon  OH  the  out-pouring  of 

Jews  and  Gentiles.  And  it  was  this  pouring  out  of  the 
SPIRIT  upon  the  Gentiles  in  common  with  the  Jews, 
that  was  the  occafion  of  the  aftonifhment  we  read  of,  in 
the  former  part  of  the  verfe,  in  which  is  the  text.  The 
Jews  could  not  tell  what  to  make  of  it,  to  fee  that 
GOD  took  as  much  notice  of  the  Gentiles  as  of  them  : 
It  was  a  mighty  furprize  to  them  •,  yea,  there  was 
fcarce  a  greater  ftone  of  (tumbling  to  them,  than  the 
calling  of  the  Gentiles.  This  was  a  myftery  hid  in  GOD 
from  ages  and  generations,  and  not  made  manifeft  to  the 
Saints  until  now*.  We  of  the  Gentiles,  who  were 
aliens  from  the  common-wealth  of  Jfrael,  and  ft  rangers 
from  the  covenant  of  promife,  and  far  off  from  GOD, 
were  now  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  CHRIST  j  for  he  is 
our  peace,  and  hath  made  both  Jews  and  Gentiles  one, 
having  broken  down  the  middle  wall  of  partition  between 
tis,  and  having  preached  peace  to  us  who  were  afar  off, 
as  well  as  to  them  that  were  nigh.  And  my  text  is  a 
(landing  glorious  evidence  of  an  Equality  between  Jews 
and  Gentiles,  in  regard  of  the  gift  of  the  Ho  L  Y  GH  os  T  . 
For  he  was  given  to  both  thefe  forts  of  perfons,  with- 
out diftinction  ;  Nor  is  there,  as  to  this  matter,  any 
refpe6b  of  perfons  with  GOD.  He  puts  no  difference 
Between  Jew  and  Greek  ;  but  is  rich  to  all  that  call 
upon  him  :  And  whoever  the  perfons  be  that  do  fo, 
whether  they  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  they  be  bend 
or  free,  male  or  female,  they  mall,  without  regarding 
the  one  any  more  than  the  other,  have  granted  to  them 
the  gift  of  the  HOLY  GHOST.  It  is  promifed  equally 
to  Jill  the  varying  kinds  of  finners,  and  they  have  all 
equal  encouragement  to  apply  to  the  father  of  mercies 
for  it.  They  are  all  one  in  CHRIST  JESUS  ;  He  came 
equjJIy  to  be  a  SAVIOUR  to  them  all,  and  he  is  equally 
ready  to  impart  of  his  SPIRIT  to  them  all,  to  fulfil 
?n  them  the  good  pleafure  of  his  goodnefs,  and  the 


3.  .9. 


the  HOLT  G HOST.  3t 

work  of  Faith  with  power.     But  I  muft  go  on  to  thfi 
laft  thing  taken  notice  of  in  the  text,  Vs. 

r. 
III.  The  manned  of  beftowing  this^z//  of  the  HOLY 
GHOST.  It  wzs  poured  out .  i.  e.  GOD  was  pleafed  to 
beftow  it  largely  and  plentifully.  He  fo  beftowed  it, 
as  that  they  *  were  filled  with  the  SPIRIT;  as  that 
they  were  all  made  to  partake  of  this  gift*  Like  a 
plentiful  fhower  flf  rain,  the  HOLY  GHOST  came  down 
upon  the  whole  aJftmUy,  he  fell  upon  every  perfon  pre- 
fent  j  they  had  each  one  a  fenfible  perception  of  his 
influences,  and  were  enabled  herefrom  to  fpeak  with 
tongues  i  and  magnify  GOD.  The  miraculous  gifts 
of  the  HOLY  GHOST,  were  thofe  efpecially,  in  which 
he  was  now  poured  out ;  but  'tis  probable,  he  fell  like-* 
wife,  in  a  plentiful  manner,  in  his  more  ordinary  influ- 
ences 5  and  that  numbers  were  enlightned  and  humbled, 
and  put,  at  leaft,  under  a  hopeful  pfofpedt  of  being 
converted  and  faVed.  To  be  fure,  the  HOLY  GHOST 
was  thus  poured  out,  in  the  firft  days  of  the  Gofpel.  i.  e. 
in  his  graces  as  well  as  gifts  -9  to  the  ends  of  faith  and 
fanc~tificationy  as  well  as  to  enable  men  to  Jhew  Jigns 
and  wonders.  Hence,  when  the  apoftle  is  fpeak  ing  of 
regeneration^  as  accompanied  with  juflification,  and  a 
hope  of  eternal  life,  he  attributes  it  to  the  HOLY  GHOST 
Jhed)  or  poured  out,  on  us^  abundantly)  through  JESUS 
CHRIST,  our  SAVIOUR*. 

And  this  manner  of  giving  the  HOLY  GHOST,  the 
pouring  him  out,  the  beftowing  him  on  great  numbers 
of  perfons,  as  well  as  in  large  and  abundant  meafurcs, 
is  one  of  the  things  particularly  prophefied  of,  as  what 
fhould  be  the  glory  of  Gofpel- times.  The  texts  to  this 
purpofe  are  very  obfervable.  Says  GOD  himfelf,  Ifa. 
44.  3.  I  will  pour  out  my  SPIRIT  upon  thy  feedy  and 
my  bleffing  on  thy  offspring.  And  again,  Zach.  12.  10. 

*  Tit  3,  6, 


3 1  A  Sermon  on  tie  out- pouring  of 

I  will  pour  out  upon  the  houfe  of  David,  and  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerufalsm,  the  SPIRIT  of  grace  and  of 
Application ;  and  they  floall  look  upon  me  whom  they  have 
pierced,  and  they  jhall  mourn  for  him,  as  one  mourneth 
for  his  only  Son,  and  Jhall  bs  in  bitternefs  for  him,  as  one 
that  is  in  bitternefs  for  a  firft  born.  And  yet  again, 
Joel  2.  28.  //  Jhall  come  to  pafs  afterward,  that  1  will 
pcur  out  my  SPIRIT  upon  all  flejh.  Thefe  texts,  to 
be  fure,  the  two  lad  of  them,  principally  look  forward 
to  Gofpel  times  \  and  they  had  a  marvellous  accom- 
plimment  in  the  firft  days  of  Chriftianity,  not  'only  in 
the  miraculous  gifts,  with  which  multitudes  were  then 
filled,  but  in  the  graces  of  the  SPIRIT,  they  were 
enabled  to  live  in  the  exemplary  exercife  of,  to  the 
aftonifhment  of  all  beholders. 

But,  perhaps,  thefe  prophefies  may  look  forward  Mill, 
and  point  our  view  to  thole  times  that  are  yet  to  come, 
when  the  little  Jlone  cut  out  without  hands,  Jhall  become 
a  great  mountain,  and  fdl  the  whole  earth  •,  when  the 
kingdom,  and  the  dominion,  and  the  great nefs  of  the  king- 
dom, under  the  whole  heaven,  Jhall  be  given  to  the  people 
of  the  faints  of  the  mcft  high  ;  when  the-  blindnefs  that 
has  happened  to  Ifrael  Jhall  be  removed,  and  the  fulnefs  of 
the  Gentiles  come  in  ;  and  the  new  heavens,  and  the  new 
eanh  be  created,  wherein  dwelleth  right  eoufnefs. 

For  my  felf,  I  am  not  ashamed  to  own,  I  am  one 
of  thofe  who  look,  according  to  the  promije  of  GOD , 
for  a  far  more  glorious  ftate  of  things,  both  among 
Jews  and  Gentiles,  than  has  ever  yet  been  feen  ;  a  ftate 
of  things,  wherein  he  that  has  the  key  of  the  bottomlefs 
•pit  Jhall  lay  hold  on  the  Dragon,  that  old  ferpent,  which 
is  the  devil  and  fat  an,  and  bind  him  a  thou fan  d  years,  and 
caft  him  into  the  bottomlefs  pit>  and  Jhut  him  up,  and  fet 
a  fsal  upon  him,  that  he  Jhould  deceive  the  nations  no 
more,  till  the  thoufand  years  Jhould  be  fulfilled :  The 
effect  .whereof  will  be  that  univerfal  prevalence  of 
,  kvt$  pwft,  and  all  thofe  chriftian  Graces,  which 

transform 


tie  HOLT  GHOST.  33 

transform  Men  into  a  likenefs  to  GOD,  and  make  them 
happy  in  the  participation  of  the  fruits  of  his  favour. 

And  to  this  happy  ftate  of  things  do  thefe  prophe- 
fes,  which  fpeak  of  the  pouring  out  of  the  SPIRIT, 
finally  look  :  Nor  will  they  have  their  full  completion, 
till  the  earth  Jhdll  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  LORD, 
as  the  waters*  wver  the  feds.  When  the  fet  time  for 
this  will  comrtiencei  is  a  fecret  the  FATHER  hath  kept 
in  his  own  breaft :  And  'tis  known  only  to  him,  what 
inftrurnents  and  means  he  will  make  ufe  of  in  bringing 
to  pafs  this  great  event  \  but  whatever  the  means  or 
the  inftrurrients  are,  the  work  will  be  chiefly  his :  It 
will  not  be  accomplifh'd  by  their  might,  but  by  the 
power  of  the  SP i R  i T  of  the  LOR D  of  hofts  \  his  SP  i- 
RIT  poured  oiit  upon  the  world,  in  fuch  abundant 
meafures,  and  upon  fuch  vaft  multitudes,  as  has  been 
hitherto  unknown.  This  pouring  out  of  the  SpikiT 
therefore  is  what  we  fhould  pray  for,  as  that  only  which 
will  be  effectual  to  the  fetting  up  GOD'S  KING  upon 
his  holy  hill  of  Zion,  fo  as  to  have  t&e  heathen  for  his  in- 
beritance,  and  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earih  for  his 
poffiffion.  But  I  muft  now  proceed  to  the 


APPLICATION.     And* 

i.  Let  us  take  occafion,  from  what  has  been  offer'd, 
to  examine  each  one  of  us,  whether  the  gift  of  the 
HOLY  GHOST  has  been  poured  out  upon  us.  This  is 
a  matter  it  very  nearly  concerns  us  all  to  enquire  into. 
For  if  any  man  have  not  the  SPIRIT  of  CH R  IST,  he  is 
none  of  his.  He  is  no  difciple  of  CHRIST  3  he  has 
no  intereft  in  the  favour  of  GOD,  nor  in  the  merits  of 
the  SAVIOUR  ;  he  is  yet  in  his  ling,  a  child  of  wrath, 
and  an  heir  to  Hell.  Can  you  then  be  too  follicitous 
to  know,  whether  you  have  tbis  gift,  which  is  a  matter 
t)f  fuch  everlafting  importance  ?  You  may  come  to  a 
comfortable  fatisfaclion  as  to  this  from  what  has  .been 

E  You 


34  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

You  will  eafily  collect  thence,  wherein  this  gift  does 
Hot  confift  ;  that  it  does  not  lie  in  vifions,  and  revelati- 
ons, and  'Trances.  None  of  th^ie  things  are  mentioned 
any  where  in  the  bible,  as  'fuch  evidences  of  the  SPI- 
JUT  in  us,  as  will  argue  our  belonging  to  CHRIST 
JESUS:  Nay,  even  in  the  days  of  the  Apoftles,  they 
were  no  proof  of  a  real  good  character.  Perfons,  in 
thofe  times,  might  fee  vtftons,  andjbew  ftgns ;  yea,  and 
c aft  out  Devils,  and  do  many  wonderful  works,  and  after 
all  be  doom'd  to  a  departure  from  CHRIST,  to  dwell 
with  devouring  fire.  The  gift  of  the  HOLY  GHOST, 
in  a  fenfe  that  will  denominate  you  the  children  /Goo, 
and  Heirs  to  heaven  lies  not  in  things  of  this  nature  5 
but  in  ihofe  internal  operations  that  are  common  to  all 
good  Cbrijlians,  and  have  been  lo  in  all  ages,  and  in  all 
-places,  from  the  days  of  CHRIST. 

Would  you  know,  my  brethren,  whether  the  HOLY 
GHOST  his  been  poured  out  upon  you,  fo  as  that  you 
may  conclude  your  felves  to  be  interefted  in  CHRIST, 
and  in  fuch  a  ftate  as  that  you  may  expect  the  falva- 
tion  of  your  Souls,  you  may,  by  the  help  of  grace, 
come  to  a  good  hope  of  this,  by  aiking  your  felves 
fuch  queftions  as  thefe. 

What  have  been  my  perceptions  of  Sin  ?  Have  I  ever 
had  any  forrowful  reflections  in  my  breaft,  at  the 
thought  that  I  am  a  finner  ?  Has  a  fenfe  of  fin  been 
grievous  to  me  ?  Have  1  had  upon  my  mind  a  confci- 
oufnefs  of  guilt?  Have  I  had  a  view  ot  my  feJf  as  ex- 
pofed  to  the  wrath  of  almighty  GOD,  and  been  in  con- 
cern hereat,  and  inquifitive  how  I  might  efcape?  If 
you  can't  fay  thus  of  your  felves,  you  have  reafon  to 
be  afraid  of  your  condition.  You,  to  be  fure,  have 
reafon  to  be  fo,  who  han't  been  under  reftraints  from 
(in,  but  have  walked  in  the  way  of  your  owti  hearts,  and 
in  the  fight  of  your  own  eyes,  adding  iniquity  Jo  tranfgref- 
fton.  Is  it  reafonable  to  think  fuch  finners,  as  you  are, 
ihould  be  brought  to  a  right  mind,  without  Tevere  and 

bitter 


the  HO  IT  GHOST.  5? 

bitter  reflexions  on  your  felves  ?  'Tis  not  poflible,  you; 
fhould  have  a  juft  conception  of  your  felves,  and  of  the 
real  truth  of  your  character,  and  not  be  in  deep  anxiety 
of  Soul :  Nor  may  you  imagine,  you  have  been  fa* 
vingly  chang'd  from  a  ftate  ot  fin  to  a  (late  ot  grace, 
if  you  have  had  no  remorfe  ot  confcience,  no  uncafi^ 
nefs  in  your  breads  on  account  of  your  fins,  no  fear  of 
the  Divine  majtrfty,  nor  of  the  vengeance  of  the  eter- 
nal world.  Such,  whofe  cafe  this  is,  have  upon  them; 
the  fad  marks  of  being  to  this  day  in  the  gall  of  bitter- 
nefs,  and  in  tbe  bonds  of  iniquity.  And  oh !  of  how 
many,  may  it  be  feared,  is  this  the  juft  character !  Ar$ 
there  not  multitudes  at  eafe  in  Zion>  who  have  upon 
their  minds  no  concern  about  their  fins,  no  fear  of  th$ 
Divine  wrath  -,  but  are  going  on  calmly  and  quietly 
in  the  broad  way  to  death  and  hell  ?  If  there  are  any 
here  prefent,  whofe  confciences  tell  them,  they  are  the 
men,  let  me  befeech  you,  as  you  love  your  fouls,  and 
would  not  be  the  deftroyers  of  them,  to  bethink  your 
felves.  Whether  you  will  believe  it  or  not,  you  are, 
as  finners  againft  the  GOD  that  made  ypu,  the  proper 
objects  of  hell,  and  nothing  keeps  you  out  of  that  place 
of  weeping  and  walling  and  gnafhing  of  teeth,  but  the 
patience  of  a  provoked  Gop,  which  may  even  this 
day  come  to  an  end  with  you.  And  is  this  a  condition 
to  be  eafy  in  ?  O  be  convinced  pf  your  danger !  You 
are  certainly  in  circumftances  of  amazing  hazard :  O 
realize  it  to  be  fo !  and  bow  your  knee  to  the  GOD  and 
FATHER  of  our  LORD  JESVS  CHRIST,  befeeching 
him,  with  a  becoming  importunity  of  loul,  to  have 
mercy  upon  you.  Your  help  is  only  in  GOD,  through 
JESUS  CHRIST.  O  cry  mightily  to  him!  tie  may 
Jbear  from  heaven,  and  convert  and  fave  you. 

But  if  upon  inquiry  you  Ihould  find,  you  have  been 
under  uneafy  fenfations  from  a  confcioufnefs  of  fin  ancj 
guilt,  reft  not  fatisfied  with  this  \  but  go  on  and  in^ 
quire,  how  thefe  ferceptions  have  operated^  what  has 

E  3  beea 


36*  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

been  the  effect  of  them.  In  themfelves,  convifttons  arc 
no  fufiicient  evidence  of  a  good  (late.  You  may  have 
roared  out  by  reafon  of  the  difquietnefs  within  you, 
and  yet  be  at  a  diftance  from  GOD  and  grace.  Don't 
be  content  that  you  have  been  under  awakenings,  but 
examine  into  their  iffue.  Have  you  herefrom  feeo 
your  need  of  CHRIST  ?  Have  you  repaired  to  him  as 
the  SAVIOUR  of  undone  finners  ?  Have  you  been  ena- 
bled to  place  your  truft  in  him,  and  in  him  alone  for 
righteoufnefs  and  eternal  life?  Are  you  become  new 
men?  Have  you  experienced  that  change,  which  will 
denomi.  are  you  the  children  of  GOD,  and  born  from 
above  ?  Be  crirical  in  your  inquiry  into  this  matter.  Is 
the  change  you  have  paffed  under,  a  change  only  in, 
your  affections  ?  Is  it  nothing  more  than  a  little  out- 
ward reformation  ?  Does  it  lie  only  in  an  attendance 
cnfermons  and  leftures  ?  Or  is  it  indeed  a  change  from 
the  power  of  fin  and  fatan,  a  change  into  the  likenefs 
of  GOD  ?  Have  you,  in  truth,  been  made  partakers  of 
the  Divine  nature  ?  Have  you  been  transformed,  by 
the  renewing  of  your  mind,  into  the  image  of  CHRIST 
JESUS? "Unlefs  the  Image :  of  the  Devil  has  been  de- 
laced  in  you,  and  yoO  have  been  realiy  chang'd  into  a 
refemblance"  to  the  bleffed  GOD,  and  his  SON  JESUS 
CHR  IST,  notwithftanding  all'  your  other  experiences, 
be  they  what  they  will,  and  as  many  and  as  great  as; 
they  will,  you  are  yet  in  your  fins;  yoij  are  yet  in  fuch 
a  (late,  as  that  if  you  mould  go  out  of  the  world  with- 
out a  further  chance,  you  would  certainly  mifs  of  hea- 
ven, and  be  fent  a*way  to  hell. 

'  And  Jet  me  tell  you,  if  you  have  indeed  been  re.- 
r.ewedin  the  fpirit  of 'your  minds,  it  will  {hew  it  ftrlf  in 
your  lives."  The  change  that  has  been  wrought  in  you 
will  have  an  influence  upon  your  whole  outward  ccn- 
cTucl:  and  behaviour/  You  will  leave  off  former  finij, 
and'  put  in  practice  neglected  duties.' ;  &s  the  grace  of 
(3o D  'teacjies,  7011^  will  deny  ungqdlinf fs,"  aacj  worldly 

O;j ;      ; "-  \ "  -(i '  -  •!  b"'^;  ;"iua   - 


the  HOLT  GHOST.  37 

lufts,  and  live  foberly,  and  righteoufly,  and  godlily  in 
the  world.  You  will  attend  the  duties  of  piety,  be- 
come men  of  prayer,  the  devout  worfhippers  of  GOD, 
in  the  clofet,  in  the  family,  and  in  the  place  where  he 
records  his  name.  You  will  keep  under  reftraint  your 
pafiions  of  wrath,  and  anger,  and  hatred  ;  you  will 
abftain  from  all  filthy  talking  and  jefting :  And  as  for 
the  grofs  ads  of  uncleannefs  and  intemperance,  they 
will  not  be  fo  much  as  named  among  you.  In  fine, 
you  will  do  to  others  as  you  would  they  mould  do  to 
you.  You  will  put  away  lying,  and  fpeak  every  man 
truth  with  his  neighbour.  You  will  be  fair  and  equi- 
table in  your  treatment  of  mankind ;  honed  in  your 
dealings ;  faithful  to  your  promiies :  All  clamour  and 
evil-fpeaking,  you  will  lay  afide ;  with  all  flandering, 
backbiting,  tading  and  tale- bearing:  And  you  will 
(as  the  eled  of  GOD)  put  on  bowels  of  mercies,  kind* 
nefs,  humblenefs  of  mind,  meeknefs,  long  fuffering ; 
forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another,  as 
GOD  for  CHRIST'S  fake  forgiveth  you.  And  above 
all  thefe  things,  you  will  put  on  chavity,  which  is  the 
bond  of  pertedtnefs.  In  one  word,  there  will  be  an 
amendment  of  your  carriage  in  all  the  relations  you 
fuftain.  You  will  be  better  hufbands  and  wives  ;  bet- 
ter parents  and  children  ;  better  mafters  and  feryants : 
You  will  be  better  neighbours,  better  friends,  better 
fubjecls ;  yea,  you  will  be  better  in  every  Jlation^  and 
in  every  condition  of  life  :  Nor  otherwife  may  you  think 
you  have  been  renewed  after  the  image  of  him  that 
created  you.  Let  no  man  deceive  you  ;  he  that  doth 
righteoufnefs,  is  righteous,  even  as  he  13  righteous: 
He  that  commitreth  fin  is  of  the  Devil.  In  this  the 
children  pf  GOD  are  manjfeft,  and  the  children  of  the 
D,eviJ :  Whpfoe. vet  doth  not  righteoufnefs  i$  not  of 
GOB,  neither  he  $hat  loyeth,  npt  his  brother. 

Some,  perhaps,  may  thinlt  $efe  things  of  no  great 
'i  byt  deceive ;np»t  ypu.?  'feives^  irnpofe  not 


3 8  A  Sermon  on  the  out-pouring  of 

on  your  own  Souls;  the  work  of  the  SI^IRIT,  where* 
ever  it  is  favingly  wrought,  will  have  an  influence 
upon  the  whole  man,  not  only  the  heart,  but  the  life : 
And  'ris  a  vain  thing,  in  any  man,  to  pretend  he  has 
the  SPIRIT,  in  his  faving  influences,  if,  in  his  out- 
ward life,  he  is  habitually  unconformed  to  the  Gofpel. 
Where  ever  there  is  true  faith,  that  faith,  whereby  we 
jire  juftified  freely  of  GOD's  grace,  without  the  deeds  of 
the  law,  thro9  the  redemption  that  is  in  JESUS  CHRIST, 
there  will  be  a  holy  life :  And  if  6ur  faith  does  not 
exprefs  it  felf  this  way,  'tis  that  dead  faith,  the  apoftle 
James  fpeaks  of,  which  is  of  no  account  with  GOD  : 
And  notwithftanding  fuch  a  faith,  a  man  may  perifh  ; 
yea,  if  he  has  no  better  a  faith,  he  certainly  will  perifh  : 
The  mouth  of  the  LORD  hath  fpoken  it. 

Thefe  are  the  things,  my  brethren,  by  which  you 
are  to  make  tryal  of  your  felves,  whether  the  HOLY 
GHOST  has  been  poured  out  upon  you.  And  a  number 
of  you,  I  truft,  have  reafon,  upon  the  tryal,  to  fay,  it 
has  been  fo  with  you :  Yea,  the  SPIRIT  himfelf,  I 
would  hope,  has  witnejjed  with  your  Spirits,  that  you 
are  the  children  of  GOD  ;  and  if  children,  then  heirs ; 
beirs  of  GOD,  and  joint-heirs  with  CHRIST,  to  the  in- 
Iperitance  incorruptible,  undefled,  and  that  fadeth  not 
away,  rejerved  in  heaven  for  you.  And  if,  from  this 
teftirnony  of  the  SPIRIT,  with  that  of  your  own  con- 
icience,  you  are  rilled  with  peace,  and  enabled  to  re- 
joice in  hope  of  the  glory  to  be  hereafter  revealed,  you 
are  happy  among  men  !  You  have  within  you  the  juft 
grounds  of  a  holy  joy,  and  'tis  no  wonder  if  you  are 
glad :  You,  if  any  perfons  on  earth,  have  reafon  to 
rejoice.  Rejoice  in  the  LORD,  ye  righteous!  and 
again  I  fay,  rejoice :  Yet,  Jet  your  joy  be  mixt  with 
a  becoming  caution.  Rejoice  with  trembling!  Be  not 
high-minded,  but  fear. —Take  heed,  you  be  not  elated 
with  pride. —  Q  jet  humility,  in  all  the  lowly  expreflions, 
pf  it?  b?  ever  the  attendant  of  your  joy, ! 

And 


HOLT  GHOST.  39 

And  let  not  thofc  be  too  much  difcouraged,  who  have 
not  this  joy  of  affurance.  You  may  not  from  hence 
conclude  that  the  SPIRIT  has  not  been  given  to  you. 
AfTurance,  however  definable  \  yet*  is  not  effenttal.  A 
man  may  be  a  fincere  Chriftian  without  it :  Yet,  let 
me  call  upon  you,  not  to  reft  fatisfied  while  in  uncer- 
tainty about  the  ftate  of  your  fouls «,  but  to  give  all 
diligence,  as  the  apoftle  exhorts,  to  make  your  calling  and 
election  Jure.  Think  no  pains  too  much,  if,  by  any 
means,  you  may  come  to  know  that  the  SPIRIT  dwel- 
leth  in  you.  *Twill  be  a  fpring  of  comfort  to  you,  all 
along  in  life,  through  all  the  varying  conditions  of  it ; 
and  'twill  make  even  the  thought  of  death  pleafant  to 
us.  But  'tis  time  that  1  draw  towards  a  clofe  5  and 
this  I  ihall  do  by  only  adding  in  the 

2.  Second  place,  That  we  have  reafon  from  what 
has  been  faid,  to  be  feeking  to  GOD  for  the  out-pouring 
of  his  SPIRIT. 

This  is  the  defign  of  this  day's  folemnity ;  nor  will 
any  one  object  againft  a  thing  fo  reafonable  as  Jup 'plica- 
tion to  GOD  for  the  gift  of  the  HOLY  GHOST. 

This  is  a  neceffary  gift  •,  that  indeed  without  which 
nothing  elfe  will  be  effectual  to  our  having  that  tem- 
per of  mind  formed  in  us,  without  which  we  fhall 
never  be  qualified  for  an  admifllon  into  the  coming 
and  eternal  kingdom  of  GOD,  We  may  not  be  fuffi- 
ciently  apprehenfive  of  it,  but  'tis  a  certain  truth,  'tis 
only  by  the  SPIRIT  of  GOD,  fin  can  be  rooted  out  of 
our  hearts,  and  the  difpofitions  of  holinefs  implanted 
there.  No  means,  nor  inftruments,  will  of  themfelves 
be  able  to  effect  this.  It  can  be  accomplifh'd  by  no 
power,  but  that  of  the  divine  SPIRIT.  And  is  it  then 
a  needlefs  thing  to  make  our  prayer  to  Gop  for  his 
SPIRIT  ?  There  is  nothing  we  can  go  to  him  for,  thar 
is  a  matter  of  greater  neceffity, 

And 


A  Sermon  on  the  out-pou'n'ng  of 

And  prayer  upon  this  occafion  is  the  more  proper, 
as  it's  the  way  we  are  direded  to  in  the  bible,  iri 
order  to  ouf  obtaining  the  SPIRIT.  Our  SAVIOUR 
has  commanded  tis  to  afk  this  gift  of  our  heavenly 
FATHER*:  And  GOD  himfe'lf  has  faid,  he  will  be  in- 
quired of  by  his  people  to  beftow  it  upon  themf. 

And  O  wh.it  encoura'ge merit  have  we  to  pray  for 
the  holy  SPIRIT!  Our  SAVIOUR  promifed,  before 
he  left  the  world,  that  his  SPIRIT  fhould  abide  with 
his  Chdrch  for  ever ;  and  has  exprefsly  declared,  that 
if  we  ajk  [|,  we  Jhall  receive ;  if  we  feek,  we  Jk all  find  ; 
if  we  knock)  it  Jhall  be  opened  to  us :  Yea,  he  has  con- 
defcended  to  argue  with  us,  to  convince  us  of  the  rea- 
dinefs  of  our  hea1  venly  FATHER,  to  give  us  his  holy 
SPIRIT,  if  we  fuitably  feek  to  him  herefor.  If  y^ 
being  evil,  know  bow  to  give  good  gifts  unto  your  chil- 
dren y  how  much  more  Jhall  your  heavenly  FATHER 
give  the  holy  SPIRIT/*?  them  that  ajk  him  §  ?  We  whd 
are  parents  know  the  working  of  our  bowels  towards 
our  children :  We  feel  tf  ithin  our  felves,  tho*  we  arc 
evil  and  finful,  a  ftrong  properifion  to'  hearkeri  to  theif 
cry  ;  and  if  we  are  fometimes  unable,  We  are  never  un- 
-billing  to  beftow  upon  them  thofe  good  things,  they 
afk  of  us,  which  we  know  are  needful  for  them :  And 
fhall  we  fufpedt  that  gbodrtefs  of  our  heavenly  FA- 
THER, in  compare  with  which,  the  tender  mercies  of 
men  are  cruelty  ?  Shall  earthly,  felfifli,  finful  parents 
give  good  gilts  to  their  children,  and  fhall  not  our 
FATHER  in  heaven  much  more  give  his  holy  SPI- 
RIT to  them  that  alk  him  ?  'Tis  unreafonable,  'tis 
bife  and  ungrateful  to  harbour  in  our  minds  the  lead 
doubt  or  hefuation  as  to  this  matter.  For  he  is  GOD 
and  not  man  ;  and  therefore  infinitely  more  kind  and 
"inerciful  than  the  moft  tender-hearted  parents  on  earth* 

Having 
ii.  9.    f  Ezek,  36,  39.    |  Luk,  n,  9,    $  Luk.  u,  13* 


HOLT  GHOST.  41 

Having  therefore  fuch  ftrong  encouragement,  let  us 
proftrate  before  the  throne  of  GOD,  and  pray  to  him 
for  the  out-pouring  of  his  S  P  i  R  i  f\ 

Let  us  pray,  that  he  may  be  .poured  -out  upon  the 
Church  of  CrtR  IST  in  general  •,  that  there  may  be  W 
revival  of  true  primitive  Chriftianity.  Religion,  it 
may  be,  was  never  at  a  lower  ebb,  in  the  profefling 
world,  than  at  this  day.  'Tis  indeed,  in  general,  not- 
withftanding  what  GOD  may  be  doing,  in  here  ani 
there  a  particular  place^  in  a  fad,  decayed,  languifhing, 
and  almoft  dead  condition.  To  be  fure,  it  is  fo  in 
regard  of  the  real  power  of  Godlinefs,  in  the  room  of 
which  has  been  introduced,  and  taken  place,  meer 
form  and  external  appearance,  a  thoufand  fuperftitions 
and  fopperies ;  and  what  .is  worfe  than  all,  a  fpirit  of 
tyranny,  whereby  thefe  things  have  been  bound  upon 
the  consciences  of  men,  to  the  eating  out  the  very  bow- 
els of  true  vital  Chriftianity  :  Yea,  by  far  the  greater 
part  of  the  nations,  who  call  themfelves  the  people  of 
GOD,  as  profefling  fubjedion  to  him  through  JESUS 
CHRIST,  have,  in  a  dreadful  degree,  corrupted  his 
worfhip,  and  perverted  his  truths ;  teaching  for  Doc- 
trines, the  commandments  of  men,  and  bowing  the 
knee  to  faints  and  angels  together  with  CHRIST,  and 
making  ufe  of  them  as  well  as  bint>  for  mediators  and 
mtercejfors :  Nor  may  it  be  expected,  they  ihould  ever 
be  in  a  better  date,  till  GOD  ihall  work  powerfully  and 
generally  upon  the  hearts  of  men,  by  his  holy  SPI- 
RIT. We  have  fucfr  a  paflage  as  that,  *  Until  the 
SPIRIT  be  poured  upon  us  from  on  high^  and  the  wil- 
dernefs be  a  fruitful  field^  and  the  fruitful  field  be  counted 
for  a  for  eft.  You  obferve,  the  pouring  out  of  the  SPI- 
R  i  T,  and  the  wildernefs  becoming  fruitful^  are  connected 
with  each  other.  The  Church  of  GOD  will' never  be 
recovered  out  of  that  defolate,  barren  condition  it  is  in* 

F  but 


32, 


4&  A  Sermon  on  the  out- pouring  of 

but  by  the  plentiful  effufion  of  the  SPIRIT  •,  and  when! 
e^er  it  fhall  pleafe  GOD  thus  to  pour  out  his  SPIRIT, 
it  fhall  revive  and  flourifh,  and  be  as  the  field  which 
the  LORD  hath  blefied.  This  is  what  we  Ihould  pray 
for  -,  and  it  fhould  infpire  our  prayers  with  faith  and 
fervour,  to  confider  the  many  promifes,  which  feem, 
in  their  ultimate  intention,  to  look  forward  to  the  toft 
days-,  fome  of  which,  I  have  already  mentioned  t6 
you; 

Let  us  pray  likewife  for  the  pouring  out  of  the  SPH 
R  i  T  upon  our  nation  :  Nor  did  they  ever  Hand  more 
in  need  of  prayer  for  this  bleffmg,  than  at  prefent. 
There  are,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  a  good  number  ftill  left, 
of  whom  it  may  be  faid,  they  are  good  men,  and  full  of 
faith  and  of  the  HOLY  GHOST  :  But  for  the  nation  in 
general,  it  never  was,  perhaps,  in  a  more  corrupt  and 
degenerate  ftate,  than  at  this  day.     The  truths  of  GOD 
were  never  more  difowned ;    the  revelations  of  GOD 
wsre  never  more  difbslieved ;  and  the  ways  of  GOD 
were  never  more  deferted,  for  the  ways  of  fin  which 
lead  to  death  and  hell.     The  language,  in  which  the 
holy  GOD  addreft  to  his  people  Ifrael  of  old,   may 
pertinently   be  applied  to  them,  *  Hear,  0  heavens ! 
end  give  ear,  O  earth  !  for  the  LORD   hath  fpoken  :  I 
have  nourijhed,  and  brought  up  children,  and  they  have 
rebelled  againft  me.     Ah!  finful  nation,  a  people  laden 
with  iniquity,  a  feed  of  evil  doers ;  they  have  forfaken  the 
LORD,  they  have  provoked  the  holy  one  of  Ifrael  to  an- 
ger,  they  are  gone  backward.     We  cannot  more  pro- 
perly exprefs  our  regards  to  them  than  by  our  prayers 
to  GOD,  to  pour  out  his  SPIRIT  on  them,  to  their 
effectual  humiliation  and  repentance:    And  the  more 
fervent  we  are  in  our  fupplications  for  this  mercy,  the 
more  fhall  we  difcover  a  true  chriftian  affection  for 
them. 

Let 

"  •  Ife,  £,  _2,  4. 


the  HOLT  GHOST. 

Let  us  pray  alfo,  for  the  out- pouring  of  the  SPIRIT 
upon  our  land.  There  is  room  for  prayer  in  this  re- 
fpect.  A  concern,  I  am  fenfible,  has  been  generally 
awaken'd  in  the  minds  of  people,  in  one  place  and  ano- 
ther :  And  it  has,  I  truft,  been  of  fpiritual  advantage 
to  many  ;  who,  it  may  be  hopejj,  have  been  either 
fcwingly  converted  to  GOD,  or  enlivened  and  quicker? d  in 
the  work  of  religion,  and  their  foul's  everlafting  falva- 
tion.  There  are,  I  doubt  not,  a  number  in  this  land, 
upon  whom  GOD  has  gracioufly  Jhed  the  influences  of 
his  bl.effed  SPIRIT  ;  and  we  ought  to  be  thankful  for 
what  of  the  SPIRIT,  we  have  reafon  to  hope  there  is 
among  us :  But  there  is  yet  need  of  prayer ;  and  the 
more  fo,  as  fo  many  things  have  arifen  among  us, 
which  are  a  difhonour  to  GOD,  and  may  have  a  ten- 
dency greatly  to  gbftrudt  the  progrefs  of  real  and  fub- 
ftantial  religion.  Alas !  what  unchriftian  heats  and 
animofities  are  there  in  many  places,  to  the  dividing 
and  breaking  in  pieces  of  churches  and  towns  ?  What 
a  fpirit  of  rafh,  cenforious,  uncharitable  judging  pre- 
vails too  generally  all  over  the  land  ?  What  bitternefs 
and  wrath  and  clamour,  what  evil  fpeaking,  reviling 
and  flandering,  are  become  common  ;  and  among  thole 
too,  who  would  be  counted  good  chriftians?  How 
alienated  are  many  minifters  from  each  other,  and  how 
inftrumental  of  hurting  rather  than  promoting  one  ano- 
ther's ufefulnefs  ?  What  prejudices  are  there  in  the 
minds  of  too  many  people  againft  the  ftanding  miniftry* 
tho'  perhaps  as  faithful  a  one  as  any  part  of  the  world 
is  favour'd  with  ?  And  how  general  is  the  difpofitiori 
they  difcover  to  flock  after  every  weak  and  illiterate 
EXHORT ER,  to  the  contempt  of  their  paftors,  who 
have  fpent,  it  may  be,  the  mod  of  their  days,  in  faith- 
ful fer vices  for  their  fouls  ?  How  heated  are  the  ima- 
ginations of  a  great  many,  and  into  what  excefles  do 
they  betray  them  f 

.Thefo 


44  ^  Serwon  on  the  out-pouring  $f 

Thefe  and  fuch  like  things,  it  is  too  evident  to  be 
difowned,  are  grown  too  common,  not  in  a  fmgle 
place  only,  but  in  moft  places  throughout  the  country. 
How  they  may  appear  to  fome  others  I  know  not^ 
but  to  me,  I  confefs,  they  afford  no. comfortable  pro- 
fpecl:.  I  canjt  but  think  it  is  now  a  fpfyial  feafon  ,for 
prayer.  Let  us  unite  in  our  cries  to  the  GOD,  who 

dwelleth  on  high. Let  us  pray  for.  a  general  effu- 

Jton  of  the  SP  i  R  i  T  upon  the  land  \  and  ,that  he  may 
come  down,  not  only  as  a  Spirit  of  humiliation  and 
fanftification,  but  as  a  Spirit  of  wifdom,  that*  fo  they 
who  are  zealous  may  be  prudently  and  knowingly  fo ; 
and  they  who  are  'pious  exemplarily  fo,  adorning  the 
doctrine  of  GOD  their  SAVIOUR  in  all  things,  and 
cutting  off  occafion  from  them  who  might  be  glad  of 
occafion  to  fpeak  evil  of  them. 

In  fine,  Let  us  the  people  of  GOD,  who  ufually 
worfhip  in  this  place,  fray  for  the  out-pouring  of  the 
SPIRIT  upon  our  felves  more  particularly.  BlefTed 
be  GOD,  we  are  not  wholly  without  the  influences  of 
his  SPIRIT.  Some,  we  truft,  have  had  experience 
of  his  operations  on  their  fouls.  The  LORD  increafe 
the'r  number!  The  LORD  grant,  that  the  SPIRIT 
may  fall  from  on  high  on  the  whole  congregation  ! 
Let  us  pray  that  it  may  be  fo  ;  that  the  HOLY 
GHOST  may  be  poured  out^  both  upon  Pajiors  and 
people,  upon  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  male  and 
female,  bond  and  free,  old  and  young,  to  the  revival 
of  the  things  which  remain  and  are  ready  to  die. 

This  is  the  bltfling  we  are  come  to  afk  of  GOD. 
O  let  us  be  importunate  in  our  cries  to  Vim  for  it ! 
Let  us  pray  with  an  importunity  that  fhall  pier9e 
even  heaven. 

And  let  us  not  think  it  enough  that  we  join  together 
in  the  public  prayers  of  this  day  \  but  let  us  go  on, 
with  our  prayers.  Let  us  each  one  pray  to  GOD  by; 
our  fclveS)  and  with  our  families  z  And  Jet  us  pray,  and 
ce.ife  not.  AwJ 


the  fJOLT  GHOST.     •  4$ 

And  while  we  pray  for  the  SPIRIT,  let  us  beware  of 
every  thing  that  may  have  a  tendency  to  prevent  his  iiv 
fluences  being  Ihed  upon  us.  Let  us  be  upon  our  guard 
againft  all  fin,  and  thofe  fins  in  fpecial,  by  which 
GOD  may  be  provok'^to  withhold  from  us  his  blefTed 
SPIRJT.  Let  us  take  heed,  that  we  don't  harbour 
prejudices  in  our  minds  againft  the  SPIRIT,  his  office 
and  work  upon  the  hearts  of  finners :  And  while  we 
are  ready  to,  give  to  the  divine  SPIRIT  the  honour  of 
t'.ofe  operations  that  are  truly  his,  let  us  maintain  a, 
care  that  we  don't  reflecl:  difgrace  upon  him  by  ma- 
king him  the  author  of  thpfe  things,  which  are  unwor- 
thy of  him:  The  SPIRIT  may  be  difhonoured  both 
thefe  ways ;  and  perhaps  he  has  been  as  much  re- 
proach'd  by  the  latter  as  he  has  been  flighted  by  the 
former. 

We  mould  alfo  be  diligent  in  our  attendance  on  all 
means ,  efpeciajly  tbe  word  preached.  Sabbaths  muft  be 

obferved. GOD  muft  be  waited  on  at  his  houfe \ 

his  worjhip  regarded ;  his  word,  in  the  miniftry  of  it, 
attended  tor  GOD  is  often  prefent  by  his  SP  i  R  i  T ,  when 
the  word  is  difpenfed.  We  read  in  my  text  of  many  up  - 
on  whom  the  HOLY  GHOST  fell,  while  they  were 
hearing  the  word.  And  'tis  obferved  of  the  Galatians*. 
that  they  received  the  SPIRIT  by  the  heareng  of  faith. 
i.  e.  the  preaching  of  the  word  of  faith >  the  GofpeKof 
CHRIST.  But  then,  you  muft  not  think,  that  hearing 
of  Sermons  is  all  that  is  neceffary.  You  muft  fo  hear 
as  to  find  time  for  meditation^  felf- examination,  and.  a 
ferious  felf- application.  And  you  muft  come  to  hear 
without  any  previous  biajs  upon  your  minds,  without 
prepofTeffions  and  prejudices  againft  either  the  word^ 
or  the  difpenfer  of  it.  You  muft  come  with  mind$ 
open  to  conviction,  willing  to  receive  the  truth,  as  it 

>  is 

*  Chap.  j.  «t 


46       d  Sermon  on  the  put-pouring,  &c. 

is  in  JESUS  ;  otherwife  the  beft  preaching  in  the  world 
will  be  of  no  fervice  to  you. 

In  a  word,  you  muft  make  it  the  great  bufmefs  of 
your  lives  to  obtain  the  influences  of  the  holy  SPIRIT. 
This,  you  muft  efteem,  the  main  thing  ;  and  here  you 
rnuft  lay  out  your  chief  ftrength.  This  muft  be  your 
continual  care.  You  muft  make  it  your  main  bufi- 
nefs ;  fubordinating  your  other  affairs  to  this  which  is 
of  the  greateft  importance. 

And  if  it  (hall  pieafe  GOD  to  pour  out  bis  SPIRIT 
upon  us,  then  (hall  we  remember  from  whence  we  are 
fallen,  and  repent  and  do  our  firft  works  5  then  will 
the  work  of  religion  profper  among  us,  Tinners  be  awa- 
ken'd,  humbled  and  converted,  and  faints  be  quicken'd 
and  enlivened.  Then  (hall  we  flourifli  like  the  palm- 
tree,  and  grow  like  the  cedar  in  Lebanon,  and  being 
Elanted  in  the  courts  of  our  GOD,  (hall  bring  forth 
•uit,  even  till  old  age,  to  (hew  that  the  LORD  is  up- 
right :  Which  GOD  of  his  infinite  mercy  grant  for  the 
fake  of  CHRIST  JESUS,  to  whom  be  glory  for  evef 
and  ever.  AMEN. 


FINIS. 


\ 


--V 


1  ' 


